Japan Immigration Agency Begins Sharing Information on Foreign Natls Under Deportation Proceedings with Municipalities Nationwide
The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has begun providing municipalities across the country with information, including residential addresses, on foreign nationals living in their communities while undergoing deportation proceedings, it has been learned. Previously, such information was shared only in limited circumstances, such as when the individual consented. As a result, some municipalities…
The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) of Japan has initiated a new practice of sharing detailed information about foreign nationals subject to deportation proceedings with municipalities across the country, it has been reported. This shift in policy, implemented in July, aims to enhance cooperation between national and local authorities, fostering a more robust system for monitoring individuals under deportation review.
Previously, ISA only shared such personal details on a consent-based basis. However, the new mandate requires municipalities to receive monthly updates containing essential data such as the individual's name, residential address, nationality, and date of birth. Furthermore, every June, the agency provides a comprehensive list of all foreign nationals under deportation review within their jurisdiction.
The move is part of broader measures introduced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration to bolster controls over foreign nationals residing in Japan unlawfully. Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law, individuals who overstay their visas or fail to comply with residency requirements face deportation, though they are not immediately expelled. Instead, they may remain in the country under alternative arrangements, including provisional release and sponsorship programs.
While the new system seeks to improve tracking and coordination, challenges persist. For instance, residents with provisional release or sponsorship status must reapply for these arrangements annually, which can be revoked under certain conditions, such as failure to comply with residency obligations or absconding from the country.
In 2025, approximately 7,722 foreign nationals received deportation orders, with 2,429 under provisional release and 1,546 on sponsorship. During the same year, 133 individuals had their provisional release revoked, and 60 faced revocation of sponsorship, primarily due to their failure to return to Japan or concerns over potential flight.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
