In Japan, plan to give cash rewards for reporting illegal migrant workers divides opinion
Backers argue tougher measures are needed to curb unauthorised employment, but migrant advocates fear unintended social consequences
The “reporting reward” proposal, announced by Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa earlier this month, would pay “several tens of thousands of yen” for information leading to the detention of an undocumented worker.
The prefecture has included the initiative in its policy package for the 2026 financial year and opened a draft ordinance on the scheme to public consultation. The measure is expected to be submitted to the prefectural assembly for deliberation, meaning it would still require legislative approval before taking effect.
Under the plan, members of the public would be encouraged to submit tips through a dedicated online portal, after which prefectural staff would investigate and pass on information to police if arrests are deemed warranted.
“Frustration towards foreigners is growing among residents, so we believe that a system is needed to ensure that the rules are strictly followed and that violations of the rules are dealt with severely,” Oigawa told a press conference on February 18.
He stressed that checks would be conducted before any police involvement. “It will never be interpreted as some kind of informant system,” he said. “It will not cause anxiety among foreign workers who are doing their jobs seriously.”