New immigration laws in Japan have been set and OFWs as well as their families are alerted by DFA. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert has announced this after receiving report from Consul General Antonio Villamayor of the Philippine Consulate in Osaka.

These laws are 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” the Secretary said. She also asserted the need of necessary documents and proper visas.

The Consul general added that the new immigration law would take effect on 27 November 2004, six months after the promulgation.

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

Maximum fine of Y3 million for arrested illegal aliens.

Foreigners deported from Japan will be barred from entering the country for a period of five to ten years.

Illegal aliens who voluntarily turn themselves in to immigration officials shall not be detained and will instead face deportation immediately.