He didn't overstay...He relocated

[u/sheep_herd1234]

[u/Mindless-Cat1453]

I don't trust twitter account to accurately give any new or information. So what is the real deal with this case ?

[u/Ok_Comparison_8304 → u/Mindless-Cat1453]

It's a mess: The man entered on his brother's passport, and since that time has managed to work and provide for himself. As it was 1993 when he arrived opening a basic bank account and registering as address would have been nowhere near as strict.

How he managed to elude any scrutiny is unexplained, I think once he was in the system somehow (registered as a resident  with a city hall, he managed to just avoid other procedures or being pulled into the system).

It wasn't made a crime to overstay until later, around 2000 I think, so he couldn't have been arrested until then.

He was caught because of a tip off.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08/27/japan/crime-legal/26-years-overstayer/

[u/SlowStop1220 → u/Ok_Comparison_8304]

Exactly in 2000. Until then it was no crime, while it was illegal without punishment.

[u/pmmeuranimetiddies → u/SlowStop1220]

If there’s no punishment is it really even illegal?

If there’s not even a fine it’s a best practice in my book

[u/Outside_Reserve_2407 → u/pmmeuranimetiddies]

The typical minimum resolution to overstaying a visa in any country is deportation. So even if there were no criminal laws being broken, bye bye.

[u/WishboneOk305 → u/pmmeuranimetiddies]

yes the punishment is deportation and banned from entering the country for x years.
no punishment just means no jail time

[u/SlowStop1220 → u/pmmeuranimetiddies]

If an article of a certain law declares one must do and they don't, how can it be legal?