Clandestine Migrant Workers in Japan

Abstract

Illegal migration in Japan is a recent phenomenon, resulting from restrictive labor import policies and shortages accompanying economic restructuring. Labor policies, regulations, types of immigration violations, and the role of the recruitment industry are described. Most of the estimated 200,000 illegal workers are employed in small and medium sized enterprises, especially construction and manufacturing, which pay them wages well below the normal rate. A key issue is the infringement of human rights of these illegal workers, who lack the protection of labor laws and the social security system.