🤝 Workplace Know-How
What to Do If You Face Harassment at Work
Support contacts you can use without your company finding out
📖 6 min read📅 2026-04-25
"Because of you, today's production line fell behind schedule. How are you going to take responsibility?"
11:16 PM. That message appeared on Nay's (28) phone. It was from the team leader.
Nay, from Myanmar, was already in bed. He had to be up at 5 AM to get to the factory — but he lay there holding his phone, unable to sleep.
This wasn't the first time. Starting around month 4 at the factory in February 2024, the team leader began making comments every time the line fell behind. "Do you understand what caused the delay today?" — no direct accusation. But everyone in the room followed the team leader's gaze. They all looked at Nay.
Nay came in earlier than anyone else and worked hard to avoid mistakes. Still, every time something went wrong, the eyes turned to him. The late-night LINE messages came 2–3 times a week.
His residence status renewal was handled by the company. "If they dislike me, they might not help with the next renewal" — that fear kept him silent. He couldn't say anything to anyone.
Nay's situation is not unusual. In factories, restaurants, construction, nursing care — workplaces where many foreign workers work — situations like this are still happening today.
But it's okay. There are ways to resolve this without your company finding out.
All of the support contacts below are free and multilingual, and completely anonymous.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What should I do first?
A.Start by keeping a record. Write down the date, time, location, the person's name, and what was said in a notes app. Screenshots of LINE messages and voice recordings are also effective. You can consult even without evidence, but having a record helps things move forward.
Q.If I report it, will my company find out?
A.No information is passed to your company without your consent. Anonymous consultation is possible. The fact that you consulted will not be disclosed to the harasser or your company. Please feel free to reach out.
Q.Will this affect my visa?
A.What you discuss is not shared with your employer or the Immigration Services Agency without your consent — medical institutions and public consultation services are bound by confidentiality. Neither the grounds for revoking a residence status (Immigration Control Act Article 22-4) nor the published criteria for renewal and change of status contain any item on consultation history or health. Speaking up early tends to make it easier to keep working than holding it in alone.
Q.What if I'm thinking of resigning or changing jobs?
A.The best approach is to secure your next job before acting. You'll need to coordinate with your visa expiration and renewal timing. A labor bureau can also advise on the right order for resigning and switching jobs.
Q.Can I consult even if my Japanese isn't strong?
A.All of the contacts listed below support multiple languages. Some have staff who can speak Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog, Burmese, Nepali, and other languages. English is also available.
🤝 Where to get help (free, multilingual, anonymous OK)
Yorisoi Hotline
You can consult via chat — ideal for those nervous about phone calls. Start here.
🌐 Multilingual support ⏰ 24 hours / Free
💬 Chat for support →📞 0120-279-338
FRESC — Foreign Residents Support Center (Ministry of Justice)
Comprehensive consultation on residence status, harassment, and labor issues. Available via LINE, email, or in person.
🌐 English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and 10 other languages ⏰ Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00
📝 Contact via web →📞 0570-011000
General Labor Consultation Corner (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
Official public service for labor conditions and harassment concerns. Located inside Hello Work offices nationwide.
🌐 14 languages (telephone interpretation available) ⏰ Weekdays 9:00–17:00
📝 Contact via web →📞 Local Labor Bureau (prefecture)
