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Immigration News and Practical Compliance in Japan

What Sweden’s New Law and Japan’s Removal Statistics Tell Us About Immigration Compliance

Immigration news and removal statistics can be misunderstood when numbers are taken out of context. This article explains the differences between Sweden’s new law and Japan’s removal statistics, and what foreign residents and employers in Japan should check.

Immigration Compliance Removal Statistics Unlawful Employment Foreign Employment

Immigration control is becoming stricter in many countries. However, Sweden’s new law and Japan’s deportation and removal statistics are based on different legal systems. It is important not to judge immigration issues only by social media posts or headline numbers.

1. Be careful when reading social media posts about deportation

Social media posts about immigration enforcement often contain strong language and simplified numbers. Some posts may point to real trends, but they may also omit important details, such as the difference between deportation orders, departure orders, self-funded departure, and government-funded removal with escorting officers.

In immigration practice, words matter. “Removal,” “deportation,” “withdrawal of a residence permit,” and “departure order” may sound similar, but their legal meaning and procedures differ by country.

2. Overview of Sweden’s new law

The Swedish Parliament has voted in favour of amendments under which a foreign national’s way of life and moral character may be considered more closely when granting or withdrawing residence permits.

According to the official announcement, misconduct such as not following laws, regulations, and decisions made by authorities, having large debts, or making a living in a dishonest way may become relevant. The amendments are scheduled to come into force on 13 July 2026.

3. How to read Japan’s 2025 removal statistics

According to materials published by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, the number of persons removed under deportation orders in 2025 was 7,563, and the number of persons who departed under departure orders was 9,789.

The same materials state that 318 persons were removed with escorting officers in 2025, which was a record high. The important point is that 7,563 and 318 are not the same category.

The 7,563 persons removed under deportation orders include 6,677 self-funded departures, 505 government-funded removals without escorting officers, 318 government-funded removals with escorting officers, and 63 others. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to read the figure as if all 7,563 persons were removed with escorting officers.

4. Unlawful employment remains a key risk in Japan

One of the most important practical issues in Japan is unlawful employment and work outside the permitted scope of a status of residence. Even if the foreign national thinks that the work is only temporary or part-time, it may cause problems if the work is not permitted under the person’s status of residence or permission to engage in other activities.

Employers also need to be careful. If an employer fails to check the residence card, assigns duties that do not match the employee’s status of residence, or fails to manage side work hour limits, the employer may face risks related to unlawful employment facilitation.

5. Residence status compliance continues after approval

A status of residence in Japan is not only important at the time of approval. The actual situation after approval may become relevant in renewal, change of status, permanent residence, cancellation of status, and deportation-related matters.

• Do not miss the expiry date of the residence card.
• Make sure actual activities match the status of residence.
• Do not work beyond the scope of permission to engage in other activities.
• Prepare explanations for job changes, resignation, or changes in job duties.
• Check tax, health insurance, pension, and social insurance status.
• Make sure application forms, explanation letters, and supporting documents are consistent with reality.

6. What employers and supporting organizations should check

In foreign employee management, compliance is not only the employee’s responsibility. Employers and supporting organizations should also check the residence card, passport, designation document when necessary, employment contract, job duties, actual work situation, and social insurance and tax procedures.

7. Related pages for practical guidance

This article focuses on immigration news and statistics. For practical procedures and document checks in Japan, please also see the following pages.

8. Conclusion: read the legal system and statistics carefully

Immigration control may be becoming stricter in many countries, but legal systems differ. Sweden’s new law, Japan’s deportation system, removal statistics, and unlawful employment measures should not be treated as the same thing.

What matters is not reacting emotionally to headline numbers, but checking official sources, legal categories, and practical compliance points. Foreign residents and employers in Japan should review status of residence, work activities, taxes and insurance, and document consistency before problems arise.

References: Sveriges Riksdag “Stricter and clearer requirements regarding moral character for residence permits”; Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Status of Immigration Services in 2025”