On 15 September 2026, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published the results of inspections and guidance (on-site investigations) and referrals to prosecutors carried out in 2025 by Labour Standards Inspection Offices and other bodies across Japan at workplaces employing technical intern trainees or Specified Skilled Workers (SSW). The inspected workplaces were those suspected of breaching labour standards legislation, and violations were found at more than 70% of them under both systems.
- Workplaces employing technical intern trainees: Of 13,148 workplaces inspected, violations were found at 9,619 (73.2%). There were 26 referrals to prosecutors for serious and egregious violations.
- Workplaces employing SSW holders: Of 8,082 workplaces inspected, violations were found at 6,179 (76.5%) (the previous year: 4,395 of 5,750 workplaces, 76.4%). There were 9 referrals to prosecutors.
- By industry: Among the main industries shown by the ministry, construction had the highest violation rate: 80.2% for technical intern trainees and 81.4% for SSW. In food manufacturing, violations of "safety standards" reached 36.8% for technical intern trainees and 39.0% for SSW.
- Reports and complaints: Workers and others filed 108 reports concerning technical intern trainees and 150 concerning SSW holders. In both, non-payment of wages and premium wages was the most common (93 and 131 cases respectively); for SSW, pay below the minimum wage (19 cases) and failures in dismissal procedures (17 cases) followed.
- Referral cases: Cases cited include two involving SSW holders: employees made to work 100 or more hours a month of overtime and holiday work, beyond the limit in the "Article 36 agreement" (the labour-management agreement on overtime under the Labour Standards Act); and a person who had not completed the required skills course being made to drive a forklift with a maximum load of 1 tonne or more.
The main violations were as follows (as a share of workplaces; where a workplace had several violations, each is counted).
| Violation (legal basis) | Technical intern trainees | SSW |
|---|---|---|
| Safety standards for machinery and equipment used (Industrial Safety and Health Act, Articles 20 to 25) | 22.8% | 20.7% |
| Obtaining opinions from doctors and others on health check results (same Act, Article 66-4) | 15.7% | 16.7% |
| Payment of premium wages (Labour Standards Act, Article 37) | 15.6% | 16.3% |
| Clear statement of working conditions (same Act, Article 15) | 12.6% | 14.6% |
The MHLW says 「技能実習生及び特定技能外国人の適正な労働条件と安全衛生の確保に重点的に取り組んでいきます」("it will focus on ensuring proper working conditions and occupational safety and health for technical intern trainees and Specified Skilled Workers") and 「度重なる指導にもかかわらず法令違反を是正しないなど重大・悪質な事案に対しては、送検を行うなど厳正に対応していきます」("it will respond strictly to serious and egregious cases, such as failure to correct violations despite repeated guidance, including by referring them to prosecutors"). Note that the violations were found at workplaces, and include violations relating to workers who are not foreign nationals. The most common violations concern safety and health and labour management across the whole workplace, not only the employment of foreign workers. For consultations on employing and managing foreign workers, see our recruitment support services.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Announcement of the 2025 Status of Inspections, Guidance and Referrals to Prosecutors at Workplaces Employing Foreign Technical Intern Trainees or Specified Skilled Workers" / Same (Annex 1), "Status of Inspections, Guidance and Referrals at Workplaces Employing Technical Intern Trainees (2025)" / Same (Annex 2), "Status of Inspections, Guidance and Referrals at Workplaces Employing Specified Skilled Workers (2025)"