Takaichi’s Japan Illegal Worker Crackdown: The Growing Crisis of Vietnamese Laborers

They build the ships and weld the steel that keep Japan running, but they are now being told to leave. January 7, 2026, marks a turning point as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi prepares to launch a massive policy package aimed at eliminating undocumented labor. According to AFP, Vietnamese nationals, who make up 25% of Japan's 2.3 million foreign workers, are at the center of this storm.

Japan Illegal Worker Crackdown: Balancing Economic Need and Rule of Law

For years, the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) has been criticized as a backdoor for cheap labor. As of June 2025, nearly half of the 450,000 interns were from Vietnam. Many arrive saddled with debts of up to $7,500 paid to recruitment brokers. When wages prove insufficient to cover these debts, many desert their assigned workplaces to find better-paying, albeit illegal, jobs.

Police data from 2024 shows that while foreigners account for only 5.5% of total arrests, Vietnamese nationals topped the list of non-permanent resident arrests at over 30%. This has fueled public resentment, especially as many Japanese citizens struggle with rising living costs and a weakening yen.

The Rise of 'Bodoi' and the Future of Labor Migration

Deserters often find refuge in Facebook communities known as "Bodoi"—slang for soldiers. These underground networks provide black market jobs in industries desperate for labor, such as agriculture and construction. Without these workers, many experts argue, the Japanese economy would struggle to function.

The government plans to transition to a more flexible system in 2027, but the road ahead is rocky. "Japan's reputation is dented," says professor Jotaro Kato, noting that countries like South Korea are becoming more attractive destinations for Southeast Asian talent due to better conditions and a stronger currency.