Illegal Vietnamese residents in Japan up to 2,453 people

The Japanese Immigration Agency recently released data showing that the number of foreigners residing illegally in Japan as of January 1, 2015 was 60,007, an increase of 946 compared to a year earlier. Of these, 2,453 Vietnamese people resided beyond their time limit, an increase of 66.8%.

The number of foreigners residing illegally in Japan as of January 1, 2015 was 60,007 people. Illustration photo: AP

“The reason for the increase in the number last year may be due to an increase in cases of people fleeing their residence after coming to Japan under the technical intern trainee system,” an immigration official said.

By country and region, South Korea still has the largest number of people with 13,634, down 4.2%; China has 8,647, up 4.7%; Thailand has 5,277, up 20.2%.

However, in terms of the rate of increase in illegal residence cases, Vietnam ranks first with nearly 70% compared to the previous year.

In addition, the number of foreigners in Japan by the end of 2014 reached 2,121,831 people, about 55,000 more than in 2013.

This number has been increasing continuously over the past two years. Those who have reached the residence period set by the Immigration Department and have not returned to their country will be considered illegal residents.

According to Vietnam+