The government plans to impose stricter work-visa requirements on foreign entertainers to fight human trafficking, according to the outline of a draft action plan.
The stepped-up measures on the entry of foreign dancers, singers and other performing artists would put particular focus on Filipino women, who constitute the bulk of entrants to Japan using such visas.
According to Justice Ministry figures, about 130,000 foreign nationals enter Japan each year with entertainment visas. About 80,000 come from the Philippines, compared with 6,000 to 7,000 each from the United States, China and Russia.