22 June 2004 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert, recently alerted OFWs and their families of the imminent full implementation of Japan’s new Immigration Law based on the report of Consul General Antonio Villamayor of the Philippine Consulate in Osaka. The law is expected to impose harsher penalties for overstaying aliens. The Consul General reported that the new immigration laws were already published in two major Japanese dailies, namely The Japan Times and The Daily Yomiuri.

 “While we are mandated to protect the welfare of Filipinos abroad, they must also be aware of certain responsibilities demanded of them. Possession of relevant documents and proper visas is a primordial concern” the Secretary said..

The new immigration law would impose the following penalties for illegal aliens in Japan:

            1. Maximum fine of Y3 million for arrested illegal aliens.
            2. Foreigners deported from Japan will be barred from entering the country for a period of five to ten years.
            3. Illegal aliens who voluntarily turn themselves in to immigration officials shall not be detained and will instead face 
                deportation immediately.

According to Consul General Villamayor, the new immigration law will take effect on 27 November 2004, six months after the promulgation. END