Ibaraki Prefecture has introduced a reward system, effective 11/5, offering 10,000 yen to individuals who report companies illegally employing foreign workers. This initiative comes as Ibaraki has consistently topped the national list for undocumented foreign workers, with 3,518 cases out of 13,435 nationwide (26%) in 2025. This marked the four consecutive year the prefecture held this distinction.

The Ibaraki government aims to eliminate this distinction. The new policy also coincides with a growing sentiment of unease towards foreigners across Japan, which Japanese media attribute to an increase in crimes and non-compliance with local regulations by some foreign residents.

The reward specifically targets employers of undocumented foreign labor, not the workers themselves. To prevent false accusations, the system requires reporters to provide their name, address, and phone number, as anonymous reports are not accepted. Reports must be submitted via an online form.

The Ibaraki prefectural government will only collaborate with police to investigate after reviewing a report and deeming it credible. The 10,000 yen reward is disbursed only upon confirmation of the reported misconduct.

Many foreign workers come to Japan to work in agriculture. *Photo: East Asia Forum*

Ibaraki's high incidence of undocumented foreign workers, with 70% of cases in 2025 related to agriculture, stems from its predominantly rural landscape and extensive farmland. Given Japan's rapidly declining population, particularly among young people in rural areas, prefectures like Ibaraki critically rely on foreign labor to sustain local communities and industries.

Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oikawa stated at a press conference last month that the reward system aims to ensure legal employment, not to deter foreign nationals from working in Ibaraki.

While Ibaraki is the first prefectural government to introduce such a reward, the national Immigration Services Agency, under the Ministry of Justice, has operated a similar system for at least five years, offering up to 50,000 yen for information confirming illegal employment.