Rising Customer Harassment from Foreign Clients: Essential Cases and Countermeasures for Administrative Scriveners

1. why are administrative scriveners now facing foreign catharsis?

The number of foreign residents in 2024 will be approximately 3.4 million (according to the Immigration and Residency Management Agency), a record high. Since the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (2019), the number of applications for status of residence such as specified skills, technology, humanities, international services, and family stay has increased rapidly, and the foreigner business of administrative scriveners is no longer an "option" but a "daily business.

On the other hand, due to differences in language, culture, and legal systems, harassment specific to foreign customers ("foreign customer harassment") is becoming more noticeable.

[Some examples

• Threats of murder and arson, saying "If I don't get a permit, I'll kill you" and "I'll burn your office down" (specified skills, food and beverage)
• Over 100 messages in a row on line from 2:00 am to 4:00 am, phone attacks until read.
• They threatened to report the incident to the embassy for human rights violations, and tried to get them to pay zero yen for their services.
• Sexual harassment against female administrative scriveners, such as "If you get my visa, I'll marry you" and "If we sleep together, will you get a permit?" Sexual harassment
• As soon as it was decided to deny the permit, they stormed into the office, demanding "money back" and "fraud," and forced to get down on their knees.

2. 3 major characteristics of foreign kasuhara

(1) Quick emotional outbursts Many clients think that administrative procedures in their home country "will go through as long as they pay," and do not understand the discretionary screening by the immigration bureau.

(2) Perceived as having excessive means of retaliation "tell the embassy," "revoke your status of residence," "flame the office on social networking sites," etc.

(iii) Language barriers make it difficult to keep "records" There is a tendency for verbal intimidation and reluctance to record/record.

3. 5 Preventive measures that can be taken now by the Administrative Assistant

(1) First consultation is completely chargeable and limited to online. Free consultation is stopped and set at 5,500 yen to 11,000 yen per 30 minutes; Zoom recording is required (written consent must be obtained).

(2) Specify a "harassment clause" in the contract and explanation of important matters e.g., "In case of intimidation, abusive language, late-night calls, or sexual comments, the contract will be terminated immediately plus a penalty of 200,000 yen plus filing a damage report with the police.

(3) Delivery of a written statement in three languages that "immigration examination cannot be 100% guaranteed" prior to acceptance of the case Templates in English, Chinese (simplified), and Vietnamese are available free of charge from the Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Association and volunteer administrative scriveners specializing in immigration.

(4) Do not use official LINE accounts. Personal LINE accounts are a definite no-no; for business use, use only Chatwork, Signal, or other tools that are logged and easy to block.

(5) Office address is virtual office + P.O. Box Several colleagues who actually received death threats and moved their home offices in a hurry have been reported in 2025.

4. flowchart of the initial response to an actual incident

1. Moment of verbal abuse or threat → Immediately declare "I'm recording" or "I'll talk to the police" → End conversation → Immediately block
2. Make a memo of the contents "with date, time, what was said, and screenshot".
3. Always consult with the police by the next business day (at your local Community Safety Division) → If a medical certificate is obtained, a "crime of intimidation" (Article 222 of the Penal Code) has been reported for many cases.
4. Report to Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Association, Specialized Immigration Subcommittee (anonymity allowed) → The Association is piloting the "Foreigner Kasuhara 110" from 2025.
5. If you have a legal advisor, contact him immediately → Send a "no further contact + claim for compensation" by content-certified mail (actual results: settled for 500,000-1,500,000 yen)

5. lastly - what I want to share with you because we are in the same industry.

Keep this in mind: "It is not your fault that you were not granted a visa.

The immigration examination is outside the scope of responsibility of administrative attorneys. There is absolutely no need to blame yourself if you receive unreasonable demands.

I know of three cases in 2025 where an administrative lawyer who actually received death threats was on the verge of closing his business, saying that he wanted to stop doing foreign business. If you connect with the police, association, and lawyers at an early stage, you will be protected almost 100%.

Not "foreign clients = higher risk" but "foreign clients + no precautions = higher risk."

This is the only word that comes to mind.

To my colleagues, I urge you to implement a "paid consultation," "recording required," and "harassment clause" today. Protect your firm and your own hearts and minds.