A 72-year-old South Korean man was arrested in Japan after allegedly remaining in the country for more than 26 years without a valid visa, according to reports.

The man, who lives in Yaizu in Shizuoka prefecture, entered Japan in September 1993 on a 15-day tourist visa.

He was arrested over the visa overstay dating back to February 2000, when changes to Japan’s immigration law made overstaying a punishable offence.

Overstaying in Japan was not a punishable crime before February 2000, the local media reports said. Police, therefore, arrested him for overstaying in Japan since then, according to Japan Times.

Police alleged that he used his brother’s passport to enter the country, reportedly hoping to find better-paid employment.

He is believed to have stayed in Japan continuously since then, working various day jobs to support himself. He was arrested on Wednesday.

The Japan Times reported, police began investigating the case after receiving an anonymous tip in June.

During questioning with police, the man reportedly admitted to the charge and told investigators that he had worked day jobs during his stay in Japan.

It was unclear how he was able to secure jobs.

Japanese rules suggest foreigners in the country are not allowed to overstay the permitted period or engage in activities not approved in the legal status given by the Immigration Bureau at the time of entry.

Overstaying the permitted period of stay is “punishable with an imprisonment, with/without hard labour”, according to police, “not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding three million yen”.

Data from Japan’s justice ministry showed that 68,488 people were recorded as overstaying their visas as of January this year.

In 1993, Japan registered 298,646 visa overstayers – the highest figure on record at the time.

The man’s arrest came more than two decades after the period from which police say his overstay became a criminal offence.

It was unclear if the man would be deported to South Korea.

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