A 72-year-old South Korean national has been taken into custody by Japanese authorities following the discovery that he had resided in the country for more than three decades without legal status. The man, identified by local police as
According to the Shizuoka Prefectural Police, the individual originally entered Japan in September 1993 under the guise of a 15-day short-term visit. Investigators allege that he gained entry by using his younger brother’s passport. Rather than departing when his authorized stay expired, he remained in the country, supporting himself through a series of day-labor positions and casual employment. Authorities state that his primary motivation for remaining was the prospect of higher wages compared to those available in his home country.
Legal complexities of a decades-long overstay
While the man is believed to have lived in Japan for approximately 33 years, the criminal charges brought against him are tied to specific changes in Japanese legislation. Immigration laws were amended in February 2000 to classify illegal residency as a criminal offense. Consequently, while his presence in the country spans over three decades, the period covered by the current criminal investigation is approximately 26 years, dating from the implementation of the revised statute.
The case came to the attention of law enforcement following a tip-off in June 2026 regarding a suspected illegal resident. Following an investigation into his immigration status, police moved to arrest the man in late August. During initial questioning, he reportedly admitted to the allegations. The specific details regarding how he managed to maintain a life in Japan for such an extended period without valid documentation remain under investigation.
Changing landscape of Japanese immigration
The man’s arrival in 1993 occurred during a period when Japan faced significantly higher rates of visa overstays. Data from the Japanese Justice Ministry indicates that there were approximately 298,646 individuals in the country with expired visas at that time. By January 2026, that figure had dropped to 68,488, reflecting decades of evolving immigration enforcement policies and systemic changes within the country’s administrative framework.
The investigation into the man’s residency remains ongoing. As of the latest reports, no final court ruling has been issued, and no decision regarding deportation has been announced. The case continues to be handled under standard Japanese immigration and criminal procedures.
