Hong Kong diver among four charged in Okinawa case
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Japanese media said a diving shop in Maeda, Onna Village, Okinawa, allegedly employed foreign instructors without the proper work status, leading to the arrest and prosecution of four people. The accused include a 50-year-old Chinese national who ran the shop and three male instructors from Hong Kong and Taiwan aged in their 20s to 30s. Hong Kong’s Immigration Department said it began seeking information through the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR and the Chinese Consulate-General in Fukuoka after learning of the reports. It added that no Hong Kong resident had sought help as of Wednesday.
Key Points
- Reports citing the Nago Coast Guard said the case involved a diving shop in Maeda, Onna Village, Okinawa, where foreign nationals allegedly worked as diving instructors illegally.
- Japanese authorities arrested four suspects on October 18, then the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office charged all four on November 9 under Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
- Prosecutors said the 50-year-old Chinese national shop operator employed three people from August to September despite their lacking valid work authorization for the jobs.
- The three employees were from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and were accused of working as diving instructors or underwater guides without the required status or permits
- Two of the three allegedly lacked the residence status needed to work as diving instructors, while the third allegedly did not hold a work visa.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is a reminder that working overseas without the correct visa or professional authorization can quickly become a criminal matter, even in popular travel destinations such as Okinawa. The Immigration Department’s response also shows that Hong Kong authorities monitor cases involving residents abroad, but assistance may depend on whether the person involved is identified and seeks help.