Tokyo police arrest three over fraudulent Japan skilled-worker visa filings

Tokyo police have arrested two company executives and a Chinese national in connection with a fraudulent application for a visa for highly skilled professionals. One of the executives, Hotei Aizawa, has denied all charges, police said on Wednesday.

Key facts

• Who was held: company executives Hotei Aizawa, 39, and Emi Makino, 45, plus Zhuang Yi, a 57-year-old Chinese national whose occupation is unknown
• Visa type involved: the visa for highly skilled professionals
• Alleged scale: false visa applications for 30 to 40 Chinese nationals beginning in 2020
• Money alleged: $600,000 charged per person, with $450,000 kept by Aizawa
• Entry at issue: Zhuang is believed to have entered Japan in December 2025 on a highly skilled professional visa

What do police suspect happened?

Police suspect Aizawa of having fraudulently applied for visas for wealthy Chinese nationals over several years. He is believed to have submitted false applications for between 30 and 40 Chinese nationals starting in 2020, charging each of them $600,000 and keeping $450,000 of that amount. Police say they are still investigating the details.

The three suspects are believed to have worked together to bring Zhuang into the country under a highly skilled professional visa in December 2025. His application to immigration falsely stated that he held a Master of Business Administration, and Makino said he would be working at her company, according to police.

What was promised to the applicant?

Aizawa is said to have promised Zhuang that he could legally obtain permanent residency for him, and the Chinese national paid him $600,000. Makino told police that Aizawa handled all of the paperwork and processing for Zhuang.

Why does the visa type matter?

Generally, only people who have lived in Japan for at least 10 years can apply for permanent residency. That required period can be shortened for those holding a highly skilled worker visa, which is why the type of visa alleged to have been obtained fraudulently is significant to the case.

What this means for travellers

The case concerns long-term work and residency visas rather than short-term visits. Anyone applying for Japan's highly skilled professional visa should make sure the qualifications and employment details submitted to immigration are accurate, as police are actively investigating fraudulent applications of this kind.

Police had previously arrested Aizawa in June on suspicion that he illegally brought a babysitter for wealthy Chinese nationals into the country. Further investigations into that matter brought the case involving Zhuang and Makino to light, and police say their inquiries are continuing.