In response to the growing number of foreign workers and related issues like illegal employment and overstaying, Gunma Prefecture has launched a groundbreaking pilot project to help foreigners avoid illegal status. The project uses employment data from the government and communicates important information through the LINE messaging app. This service, available in multiple languages, provides details on immigration procedures, taxes, traffic regulations, and garbage disposal rules. It targets about 3,000 companies in four cities within the prefecture where a significant number of foreign workers are employed.
As the number of foreign workers in Japan hit a record 2.3 million last year, and issues concerning stricter management were debated in national elections, Gunma Prefecture aims to “eliminate foreign residents who don’t follow the rules.” The pilot project involves asking companies to encourage their foreign employees to register for information updates through LINE. Once registered, these employees receive various kinds of information from the prefecture and other relevant authorities.
The project supports communication in 24 languages, such as Vietnamese, Indonesian, and English. It aims to educate foreign residents on local rules that are often overlooked, like garbage disposal and cycling regulations.
Dubbed the “Gunma Model,” this initiative could be expanded nationwide. According to the Immigration Bureau, Gunma ranks third in Japan for illegal employment among foreigners, with 1,799 cases. Gunma Governor Ichita Yamamoto highlighted the importance of using information to prevent illegal employment while addressing public concerns and misconceptions about foreign residents.
The “Gunma Model” pilot project aims for full-scale implementation next fiscal year. By sharing information originally not accessible to municipalities, Gunma was able to plan this pilot project as part of a national strategy to facilitate smoother cultural integration. As of July 25, 44 companies and 318 individuals had participated, with the pilot set to run until the end of October.
by MagazineKey4532