Foreign worker employment in Japan is strictly regulated, and each status of residence has
clearly defined permitted work categories.
When companies misunderstand these boundaries, they may unknowingly fall into
the crime of Assisting Unauthorized Activities (Immigration Control Act violation).

This section summarizes a model case commonly seen in workplaces employing foreign nationals
and highlights the key points companies should learn.

Case: Assigning “Unauthorized Tasks” to a Specified Skilled Worker

A manufacturing company accepted a Specified Skilled Worker,
but due to vague explanations from the support organization,
the worker was routinely assigned
tasks outside the permitted scope.

The company believed that “simple tasks should be fine,”
but in reality, the work fell outside the authorized range,
resulting in administrative guidance from the authorities.

Issues Identified in This Case

● Insufficient understanding of the permitted work scope under the status of residence

● Inadequate explanations from support organizations and supervising bodies

● Foreign workers lacked an environment where they could consult the company

● Discrepancies between documented job descriptions and actual work performed

Preventive Measures

● Verify job duties against the status of residence and clearly define the permitted scope

● Conduct regular administrative interviews with foreign workers through a neutral third party

● Ensure support organizations and supervising bodies are properly fulfilling their roles

● Implement monthly documentation of actual work performed

Damages Suffered by the Company

● Administrative guidance and corrective orders

● Operational disruption due to suspension of the foreign worker’s employment

● Deterioration of relationships with supervising bodies and support organizations

● Loss of trust as a company with inadequate foreign employment management

● Delays in recruitment plans and additional costs

Lessons for Other Companies

Unauthorized activities often arise from
the mistaken belief that “simple tasks are acceptable.”
Because the system is complex, companies may make incorrect judgments on their own.
Having an administrative scrivener verify operations leads to proper compliance.

Why Companies Need an External Specialist

An administrative scrivener acting as an external advisor continuously checks
the consistency between job duties and the status of residence,
preventing risks related to unauthorized activities before they occur.