## Section 2 Implementation of Measures Against Imposter Foreign Residents

### 1. Countermeasures Against Imposter Foreign Residents, etc

“Imposter residents” are foreign nationals residing in Japan having illegally received entry or landing permission as though they came under one of the statuses of residence having disguised their identity or activities such as by using forged or altered documents or false documents under the cover of a fake marriage, fake studies or fake employment, etc., or they may not necessarily have concealed the purpose of their activities from the onset but are currently engaged in illegal work which is far removed from their status of residence, and therefore, taking measures against imposter residents is also an important task in terms of immigration control administration along with measures against illegal residents. “Imposter residents” appear on the surface to be legal residents, which makes it difficult to accurately ascertain their situation, but their increase in number is a cause for concern since they substantively orchestrate illegal entry and residence in Japan.

Since the existence of imposter residents abusing the system of status of residence is related to the foundation of immigration control in Japan, it cannot be overlooked, and therefore the Immigration Bureau has been striving to respond strictly to clarify the realities of these kinds of cases through detailed investigations and has been enforcing deportation procedures against persons coming under the grounds for deportation and enforcing the procedures for revocation of the status of residence of persons coming under the grounds for revocation of the status of residence.

In addition, in recent years, there has been a significant number of cases where foreign nationals use forged or altered residence cards or abuse the refugee recognition system. Since these methods are becoming more malicious and sophisticated, the Immigration Bureau closely collaborates with the police and other related organizations, and in malicious cases, the Immigration Bureau proactively seeks criminal punishment and deals strictly with such persons, and also strives to work on measures to uncover the situation of these cases.

### 2. Crackdowns on Imposter Foreign Residents, etc

## (1) Reinforcement of the Collection and Analysis of Information

In order to promote measures against imposter foreign residents, it is very important to carry out further effective crackdowns by uncovering such residents based on the collection and analysis of information.

For this reason, the Immigration Bureau will continue to effectively uncover and crack down on imposter residents by accurately tracking the information reported by foreign nationals and their organizations of affiliation, as well as utilizing the abundant information sent in by the general public, the information shared by the police or other related organizations and the employment status reports of foreign nationals provided by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and strengthening the analysis of information at the Center of Collection and Analysis of Intelligence newly established in October 2015 as a center dedicated exclusively to