Under the scheme, tipsters whose information is confirmed to be accurate and leads to police action will receive a reward of 10,000 yen (US$64).
The initiative was introduced after Ibaraki recorded the highest number of undocumented foreign workers among Japan’s 47 prefectures for four consecutive years, according to Kyodo News.
Prefectural officials said foreign labor remains vital as Japan faces severe workforce shortages, adding that stronger enforcement against illegal employment is intended to protect workers’ rights.
Guidelines issued by local authorities state that only reports concerning suspected illegal employment or related assistance activities will be accepted. Authorities also said reports motivated by malice or based solely on nationality or appearance would not be considered. People submitting tips through the prefecture’s website are required to provide personal information and identification documents.
Data from the Immigration Services Agency showed that 13,435 foreigners were caught working illegally across Japan in 2025, including 3,518 cases in Ibaraki, which has recorded the nation’s highest total for four consecutive years.
The prefectural government announced the policy in February, saying illegal employment “leads to anxiety about the worsening of regional public safety,” according to Asahi Shimbun.
The measure has faced criticism since its introduction, with lawyers and civic groups warning that it could encourage discrimination and widen social divisions.
On Monday, opposition groups staged a protest outside the prefectural government office, arguing that the scheme could discourage even legally employed foreign workers and foster suspicion toward migrants.
Japan had 2.6 million foreign workers as of October 2025, marking an 11.7% increase from a year earlier. The figure has now hit a record high for the 13th straight year as companies continue hiring overseas workers to address persistent labor shortages, Nippon reported, citing the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Workers holding visas for specialized or technical professions made up the largest group at 870,000 people. They were followed by around 650,000 status-based residents, including permanent residents and spouses of Japanese citizens, while approximately 500,000 were employed under the technical trainee program.
By nationality, Vietnamese workers remained the largest foreign workforce in Japan, totaling about 610,000 people, representing a 6.2% increase from the previous year.
Chinese workers, including those from Hong Kong and Macao, ranked second with 430,000, followed by 260,000 workers from the Philippines.
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