Rewards for reporting illegal foreign workers in Japan spark controversy

MITO, Japan - A local government's plan to reward people with around 10,000 yen ($63) for reporting businesses hiring illegal foreign workers has sparked controversy, with some concerned that it could foster discrimination and social division.

After reporting the highest number of illegal foreign workers in the country's 47 prefectures for the fourth straight year, authorities in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, decided to launch the reward system in fiscal 2026, claiming it is not meant to eliminate non-Japanese workers.