Japan's Immigration Services Agency published an explanatory guide on August 31, 2026 to its "Zero Illegal Residents Plan – Powerful Promotion Package," announced on May 22, 2026. The guide, compiled under the name of Vice Minister of Justice Hidehiro Mitani, adds background on the package's formulation and supplementary explanations of each measure.
Current State of Overstayers
- Overstayers: 68,488, down 6,375 from 74,863 as of January 1, 2025
- By nationality: Vietnam highest at 11,601, followed by Thailand (10,907) and South Korea (10,020)
- By residence status: "Short-Term Stay" highest at 41,607, followed by "Technical Intern Training" (9,323) and "Designated Activities" (7,306)
- Newly identified overstayers since January 1, 2025: 9,748 (Vietnam highest by nationality at 2,692)
Background of the Powerful Promotion Package
The Immigration Services Agency had published the "Zero Illegal Residents Plan for Public Safety and Peace" on May 23, 2025. Following instructions from the Prime Minister at the November 4, 2025 ministerial council meeting, the Agency analyzed factors driving increases and decreases in overstayer numbers and compiled priority measures, publishing them as the "Powerful Promotion Package" on May 22, 2026.
Three Stages, Eight Measures
The package divides measures into three stages — "entry management," "residence management and refugee screening," and "departure and deportation" — comprising the following eight measures.
- (1) Early introduction of the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) — targeting rollout during FY2028, with design and development work beginning April 2026
- (2) Outreach to countries with high numbers of foreign nationals subject to confirmed deportation orders
- (3) Faster processing of refugee status applications — targeting average processing within 6 months for new applications received in 2026
- (4) DX (digital transformation) of immigration administration — establishing a DX promotion structure in April 2026
- (5) Promoting escorted deportations at government expense — targeting a doubling from 249 cases in 2024 to approximately 500 by 2027
- (6) Promoting voluntary return using new systems under the revised Immigration Act
- (7) Preventing illegal work by provisionally released persons
- (8) Strengthening enforcement (new measure) — reinforcing joint and independent Immigration crackdowns, implementing cyber patrols
New Measure: "Strengthening Enforcement"
Measure (8), "strengthening enforcement," was newly added as a priority measure, positioned as important for reducing overstayer numbers toward the goal of zero illegal residents. In addition to reinforcing joint crackdowns with related agencies and independent Immigration enforcement, the Agency is considering using information gathered through cyber patrols to identify and crack down on those who facilitate illegal employment.
Summary
- Japan's Immigration Services Agency published an explanatory guide to the Powerful Promotion Package on August 31, 2026
- As of January 1, 2026, overstayers numbered 68,488, down 6,375 from the prior year
- "Strengthening enforcement" was added as a new measure among the three-stage, eight-measure framework
- JESTA targets FY2028 rollout with development starting April 2026; escorted deportations at government expense target doubling by 2027
Strengthened measures against illegal overstay may also affect the practical operations of companies employing foreign nationals and registered support organizations. Those with concerns about the proper handling of foreign employment status notifications or residence status verification are encouraged to consult a Gyoseishoshi. Consult Sakura Central Legal Office (MOJ-certified application agent).