72-year-old South Korean entered Japan on 15-day visa, lived there 33 years

A 72-year-old South Korean man who entered Japan on a 15-day visa in 1993 is now facing arrest after allegedly remaining in the country for about 33 years. The man, identified in Japanese reports as Mun Jong-gi, entered Japan in September 1993 using his younger brother's passport, according to police. He reportedly came to the country hoping to find better-paid work than he could get in South Korea and subsequently supported himself through day labour and casual jobs. His long stay eventually came to police attention after authorities received information about a suspected illegal resident in June 2026. He was arrested by Shizuoka Prefectural Police on August 26 on suspicion of violating Japan's immigration laws.South Korean man entered Japan in 1993 on a 15-day stayPolice say the man arrived in Japan in September 1993 and was granted permission to remain for only 15 days. Investigators allege that he entered using his younger brother's passport. Rather than returning to South Korea when his authorised stay ended, he remained in Japan and continued living and working there. His reported motivation was largely economic, with police saying he had hoped to earn more money in Japan tha...