immigration – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at The Kindred #4 (1994)

May 15, 2026May 12, 2026carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero fans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1990s to examine one of the many tales of the WildStorm universe through The Kindred mini-series.

After reading the first three issues of this WildStorm mini-series, Grifter and Backlash were well defined as two former teammates of Team 7 who are at great odds with each other. Adding more emphasis to the Team 7 legacy and the dirty history of International Operations (IO) was IO officer John Lynch (who became a captive in this mini-series) and the revealed leader of the Kindred. The stage is set for the conclusion of this mini-series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at The Kindred #4, published by Image Comics in 1994 with a story written by Jim Lee, Brandon Choi, Sean Ruffner and the illustrator himself, Brett Booth.

Early story

The story begins some time after the leader of the Kindred revealed himself to Lynch, Grifter, Backlash and Alicia Turner. It has been former IO operative and Team 7 member Roberto Diaz all along and he blamed Backlash for leaving him for dead more than twenty years prior during a desperate situation in South America.

On the orders of Diaz, a few of the beastly Kindred servants carried the severely damaged body of Backlash to a waterfall and threw him down. Elsewhere, Grifter is naked and contained in a water container with oxygen and a communication device attached to him. Roberto Diaz watches and communicates with him. Diaz tells Grifter that the his old identity is no more and the only thing he requires from him are gen samples which are crucial to better understand the genesis drug.

Diaz reveals to him that duplicating the genesis drug is crucial for the Kindred to create more life and be able to overwhelm the world and force it to recognize the might of the Kindred society. Grifter tries to reason with his former teammate by telling him that the genesis serum is something that is not meant to be tampered as it will lead to destruction…

Quality

This early, I can say that Jim Lee, Brandon Choi, Sean Ruffner and Brett Booth gave their best effort to make this final chapter very intriguing, dramatic and explosive to read at the same time. Along the way, they expanded the lore of the original WildStorm universe while building up anticipation for the Team 7 original mini-series (released in the 4^th quarter of 1994).

The writing got even stronger in this final issue in terms of storytelling and character development. Roberto Diaz is not a one-dimensional super villain. In fact, he strongly believes that he was betrayed not only by Team 7 and IO, but by humanity in general. As such, he found purpose with the Kindred during his survival days and injected himself with the genesis drug which enhanced him but also turned him into an addict (this alone added drug addiction as a key theme). As far as Roberto Diaz is concerned, he is on a path of no return and his obsession with vengeance against humanity justifies his leadership of the Kindred and the master plan to overwhelm humanity someday. In terms of geopolitics, this reminds me a lot about Islamic terrorists going up against Western civilization using violence while having their fellow Islamists migrate into different nations worldwide to overwhelm those societies from within. Of course, the concept of Diaz and the Kindred plotting against many billions of humans here is high fantasy mixed with unethical science, terrorism, infiltration and terrorism.

The creators managed to develop Grifter, Backlash and John Lynch even more. Lynch here is portrayed as very stressed and struggling with being responsible over the deaths of many men IO sent to rescue him. He even believed for a while that Backlash is dead and he knows fully well that the Kindred are not crazy but rather intelligent and are obsessed with seeking justice. In some ways, Lynch is also responsible for the Kindred and he reflects on what he did for decades for IO while serving as a Team 7 member with a leadership role.

*John Lynch in the prison cell with Colby.*

Grifter and Backlash, who are often visually featured in the promos of this mini-series, also have their fair share of the spotlight. Both heroes are severely beaten and not even their special talents or powers were enough to overcome the violent opposition of the Kindred. I like the way the creators emphasized Grifter’s (civilian identity: Cole Cash) personality as he got into the same prison cell with Alicia Turner who turned out to be involved with him several years prior. Grifter here is uneasy about the past not only as member of Team 7 but also as a person. As for Backlash, I’ll say that he has the classic heroic comeback in this issue and things got really tense between him and Roberto Diaz.

When it comes to superhero spectacle, this one is really packed with action and Brett Booth delivered some dynamic artworks to make the story look entertaining. When he draws the Kindred – those animalistic loyalists of Roberto Diaz – he makes them look horrific and intimidating from time to time. When it comes to drawing Backlash and Grifter, Booth’s take has some rough edges as this mini-series was produced before the start of the Backlash series.

Conclusion

*A dynamic action shot of a battered Grifter with Alicia Turner.*

I can say that The Kindred #4 (1994) is a worthy end to the mini-series. By the time the plot concluded, the lore and the paramilitary concepts of the original WildStorm universe got expanded a lot with emphasis on the legacy left behind by Team 7 and IO. Grifter, Backlash and John Lynch – all former teammates of Team 7 – got nicely developed here and their significance within the WildStorm universe got stronger. This comic book delivered intrigue, surprises and a good amount of spectacle from start to finish. It also succeeded in setting the stage for the late-1994 launch of Team 7.

Overall, The Kindred #4 (1994) is recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Japan’s Child Population Declines To New Low Of 13.29 Million

May 14, 2026May 11, 2026carlocarrasco

Japan, which is one of the largest economies of the world, has an enduring population growth problem as low fertility rates stubbornly remained. That said, the child population of Japan has declined yet again reaching a new all-time low of 13.29 million, according to a news report of Kyodo News. The said figure even includes foreign residents.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s child population has shrunk to an estimated 13.29 million as of April 1, down 350,000 from a year earlier and marking a new record low, the government said Monday.

The ratio of children under 15 dropped 0.3 percentage point to 10.8 percent of the total population, also the lowest since comparable data became available in 1950, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ahead of the national Children’s Day holiday on Tuesday.

The figures, including foreign residents, were calculated using population estimates that are based on a national census conducted every five years.

While the Japanese government has prioritized measures to address the declining birthrate and designated the period through 2030 as a “final opportunity to reverse the trend,” the decline has continued for 45 years despite steps such as expanding financial support for child-rearing households.

By gender, there were 6.81 million boys and 6.48 million girls, according to the data.

By age, 3.09 million children were 12 to 14, whereas 2.13 million were 0 to 2, indicating a trend of fewer children being born.

The number of children, including foreigners, born in Japan in 2025 hit a record low of 705,809, declining for the 10th consecutive year, according to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Japan’s child population has been falling since 1982, after peaking in 1954 at 29.89 million, while a second baby boom was observed between 1971 and 1974. The ratio of children has also been falling for the 52nd consecutive year since 1975.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the government’s efforts to reverse Japan’s low birthrate will eventually create positive results over the next several years? Are you convinced that allowing a larger number of foreigners to migrate to Japan will solve the birthrate problem? Do you think the government of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae will come up with new plans to increase Japanese birthrates?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 137

May 13, 2026May 9, 2026carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 You, Me and The Movies React To Lone Wolf McQuade – It has been a few months since the movie legend Chuck Norris passed away at age 86. He left behind a legacy of action movies and even played Bruce Lee’s tough opponent in The Way of the Dragon. Norris also had action movies filmed on location here in my native Philippines. In the 1980s, Norris appeared in a lot movies that involved guns and hard action, and one of his more notable films of the time was 1983’s Lone Wolf McQuade in which he faced off with fellow action star David Carradine. Recently, You, Me and the Movies posted their reaction video of Lone Wolf McQuade and it is entertaining to watch. I urge you to watch it now.

#2 Minty Comedic Arts’ Invasion U.S.A. Video – Still focused on the late Chuck Norris, his 1985 action movie Invasion U.S.A. was not merely made to entertain moviegoers with lots of explosions, dangerous stunts and hard action. Norris read an article in Reader’s Digest about the presence of hundreds of terrorists running loose in the United States which impacted him as he care about his country and his fellow Americans. This eventually led to the making of Invasion U.S.A. which succeeded commercially as it spread awareness to the American people as to how they can defend themselves in the event foreign terrorists invade their country. Today, Islamic terrorism as well as the entrance of Islamo-Leftist foreigners into America made this 1985 more socially relevant. The story behind the production of Invasion U.S.A. is pretty fascinating, and you can learn more about by watch Minty Comedic Arts’ video below.

#3 Signature Bowls of Happiness in Japan – Do you eat meals served in bowls often? Meals in bowls are common in Japan where rice and noodles are eaten by people daily. Among the many food joints in Japan that offer meals in bowls to customers are a few standouts visited by Nippon TV. What they discovered are very enticing, attractive and delicious to look at. Watch and learn from their video below.

#4 Ranting For Vengeance Slams CBR And Others Who Hate 1980s Anime – I grew up watching lots of anime shows and feature films early in life and the 1980s is a memorable decade. It was during the 1980s when I saw anime productions from the 1970s and the newest ones of the decade. To name some, I saw the 1980s Astro Boy series, Galaxy Express 999, Captain Future, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Voltes V, Daimos, Mazinger Z and others. While such old anime productions proved to be entertaining, there are still some people out there who bashed them because those productions (and their stories) did not align with their modern day woke agenda. The popular geek entertainment portal CBR published lots of articles saying that the old anime productions did not age well and a lot of readers and netizens followed suit. As such, Ranting for Vengeance slammed them and stood up for 1980s anime backed with detailed explanations. If you are a true fan of anime, watch the video below.

#5 Western Women Who Embraced Islam End Up Wrong – Did you notice that there is a growing number of women in the West who embraced Islam believing the fantasies that it is a religion of peace and is feminist? Indeed, there are these modern-day feminists who considered themselves Islamic without even fully knowing what Islam truly is, why Sharia Law is wicked and what was recorded in the Quran. SaharTV posted several videos about these newcomers to Islam (including one new Muslim woman who was Catholic) who ended up being very wrong and embarrassed. Watch the SaharTV videos below.

#6 The Significance Of Spider-Man 2099 Explained – In late 1992, Marvel Comics launched Spider-Man 2099 #1 which also marked the start of their 2099 franchise of comic books. Under the direction of writer Peter David with artworks done mainly by Rick Leonardi, the futuristic Spider-Man really stood out differently from the classic Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and his own place under Marvel Comics’ banner was established well. Spider-Man 2099 is clearly the most popular of all the Marvel 2099 titles. That said, I found this YouTube video that examines the significance of Spider-Man of 2099. I encourage you to watch it.

#7 Ashleigh Burton’s Reaction To Witness – The 1980s will always be a memorable decade of Harrison Ford’s cinematic performances. During that decade, he appeared in two Star Wars movies and he was the center of attraction in the original Indiana Jones trilogy. Along the way, he appeared in the 1985 crime thriller film Witness in which he played a police detective protecting an Amish woman and her son. The movie earned several Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and even Best Actor for Harrison Ford. Lately, Ashleigh Burton posted her reaction video of Witness and I encourage you to watch it.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Ibaraki Prefecture’s Rewards Program For Tips On Illegal Foreign Workers In Effect

May 12, 2026May 11, 2026carlocarrasco

Ibaraki Prefecture’s policy on rewarding those who report businesses hiring illegal foreign workers has officially taken effect yesterday and if the information leads to an enforcement action, the tipster will be rewarded 10,000 ten (over US$60), according to a report by Kyodo News. Ibaraki Prefecture (population: 2.9 million) currently has the largest number of undocumented foreign workers among all of Japan’s prefectures.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, launched a controversial program Monday to reward people for reporting businesses that hire illegal foreign workers.

After verifying the information as accurate, the prefectural government will report the employers to the police. If the information leads to an enforcement action, the tipster will receive a reward of 10,000 yen ($64).

The program was introduced after the prefecture said it had the highest number of undocumented foreign workers among the country’s 47 prefectures for four consecutive years.

The local government says foreign workers are necessary amid severe labor shortages and the crackdown on illegal hiring will help to address human rights violations.

According to the prefecture’s guidelines, reporting will be limited to businesses hiring, brokering or suspected of facilitating illegal employment, and information submitted with malicious intent or about individuals based on their appearance or nationality will not be accepted.

Reports can be filed through the prefectural website by providing personal information such as name, address and phone number, and must include a copy of identification, such as a driver’s license, the prefecture said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Ibaraki Prefecture’s newly launched policy will soon spark a crackdown on businesses that hired illegal foreign workers? Do you think the police will deter illegal immigrants/aliens in Japan from going to Ibaraki Prefecture for work? Is the reward of 10,000 yen sufficient? Do you think other prefectures in Japan will eventually follow the Ibaraki Prefecture policy on illegal foreign workers? Does anyone in your household support illegal immigrants/aliens and prefer all government units to accept them as refugees?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Reaffirms Intention To Revise Constitution

May 5, 2026May 4, 2026carlocarrasco

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae made it clear that she intends to revise the Constitution of her nation in accordance with the demands of the modern age, according to a news report by Kyodo News. When it comes to national security in the modern age, Japan is constantly defending itself from the aggressive moves of Communist China and North Korea. The nation also has its own internal challenges such as foreigners committing crime, grouping together to cause public nuisance and negatively affecting the Japanese.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday once again signaled her intention to pursue a revision of the Constitution, as she stressed that the postwar supreme law, which serves as the foundation of the country, “should be periodically updated in accordance with the demands of the times.”

Speaking in a video message to a gathering of revision proponents on Constitution Memorial Day, Takaichi vowed to explain potential amendments carefully to the public, adding that her ruling Liberal Democratic Party would “advance discussions in the Diet aimed at reaching decisions while securing the cooperation of other parties.”

A recent Kyodo News poll showed that 73 percent of the Japanese public called for prioritizing a broad consensus across political parties when moving toward an amendment of the Constitution.

“Discussion must not be for the sake of discussion alone. What politicians must engage in, in order to fulfill the trust placed in them by the people, is discussion aimed at making decisions,” Takaichi said.

Takaichi, known as a conservative hawk, is pushing to bring about a change to the Constitution for the first time since it came into effect following World War II. Among possible areas of amendment is the war-renouncing Article 9, which is seen as the cornerstone of Japan’s postwar pacifist stance.

An amendment would require approval by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the Diet, followed by majority support in a national referendum. The LDP won two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives election in February, while it and other pro-reform forces are within reach of the same threshold in the House of Councillors.

Amid a deteriorating security environment, Takaichi said at the LDP’s annual convention in April that she aims to initiate a proposal for a constitutional amendment by the time the party holds its convention next year.

At Sunday’s gathering, Tomohiko Taniguchi, a former special adviser to the Cabinet, cautioned against getting distracted by discussion of other provisions, saying, “Article 9 stands squarely at the center. I hope we avoid taking easy detours.”

For insight about the current Constitution of Japan, click here and here.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think there are sufficient grounds for Japan to have its Constitution revised? Do you think national security and the regional threats of North Korea and Communist China justify the need to revise the Japanese Constitution? Do you think Prime Minister Takaichi, the LDP and other parties in the chambers of government can reach a consensus to successfully amend the Constitution?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Security Alert Issued By US Embassy After Two Americans Got Killed In Philippine Province

May 2, 2026May 1, 2026carlocarrasco

In response to the killings of two Americans during a clash between Filipino soldiers and a terrorist group in the province of Negros Occidental, the United States Embassy in the Philippines (Manila) issued a security alert for its citizens and advised them to follow local laws to avoid situations with heightened security risk, according to a news report by GMA News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the news report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…

The United States Embassy in Manila on Friday issued a security alert for its citizens in the Philippines following the deaths of two Americans in a reported clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

In the security alert, the US embassy flagged as “areas of heightened concern” the rural and mountainous parts of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar.

“We advise Americans in the Philippines and around the world to abide by local laws and to avoid situations with elevated security risk,” the embassy said.

Two US citizens were among those 19 killed in the operation of the Philippine Army against alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members in Barangay Salamanca on April 19.

The embassy informed its citizens that the NPA is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US and Philippine governments.

“Anyone in proximity of NPA elements is at grave risk of arrest, injury, or death. Foreign terrorist organizations actively recruit Americans to participate directly in terrorist activities and/or provide financial support,” it said.

The US embassy urged Americans in the Philippines and worldwide to follow local laws and avoid situations with heightened security risks.

US citizens are also advised not to affiliate with insurgent or terrorist groups and to immediately leave areas where armed individuals not linked to police or military forces are present. It also cautioned that some non-governmental organizations may have ties to armed groups.

Americans planning humanitarian work were encouraged to coordinate with organizations registered with the Philippines National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and local government units to ensure safety and proper documentation.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Leftist and terrorist groups in the Philippines are still attracting American citizens to come into the country to get involved with them? Do you consider the Philippines a hot spot of Islamo-Leftists, woke forces and terrorists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Raising Of Immigration Fees In Japan Could Get Approved

April 30, 2026April 29, 2026carlocarrasco

In Japan, the raising of immigration fees could soon become a reality as the Japanese House of Representatives approved a bill to raise the ceiling on fees for immigration procedures, according to a news article by Jiji Press. This means the approved legislation will be reviewed and eventually be decided upon by the nation’s House of Councillors (upper chamber).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to raise the ceiling on fees for immigration procedures, making it likely to be enacted during the current parliamentary session ending in July.

The amendment to the immigration control and refugee recognition law was approved by a majority vote at a plenary meeting of the lower chamber of the Diet, with backing from the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling camp and opposition parties including the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito.

If the bill clears the House of Councillors, the upper chamber, the new fees would be implemented within this fiscal year, which ends next March.

Under the revision, the ceiling would be raised to 100,000 yen for permission to change residence status and extend the period of stay and to 300,000 yen for permanent residence permission. Actual fees would be determined based on a relevant ordinance within these limits.

Currently, the fee cap for the three categories is 10,000 yen.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think it is likely the House of Councillors will approve the bill to raise immigration fees? How do you think this will impact foreign immigration in Japan in the long term? Do you think reforming immigration will become a huge part of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s legacy?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Ibaraki Prefecture’s Plan On Giving Rewards For Reporting Illegal Foreign Workers To Take Effect On May 11

April 24, 2026May 11, 2026carlocarrasco

Even though controversy hounded it, the approved plan of Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan on rewarding those who report businesses hiring illegal foreign workers will take effect on May 11, according to a news report by Kyodo News. Ibaraki Prefecture (population of around 2.9 million) is located northeast of Tokyo and it already has a high number of illegal foreign workers.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

A controversial plan to reward people who report businesses hiring illegal foreign workers will take effect May 11 in a prefecture northeast of Tokyo, the local government said Wednesday.

Ibaraki Prefecture, which, as of 2024, had the highest number of illegal foreign workers among the country’s 47 prefectures, will report such employers to police after verifying the information. It will offer 10,000 yen ($63) if a tip leads to a case being opened.

Reports will be limited to businesses hiring foreign workers unlawfully, and the prefecture plans to issue guidelines, including not basing reports solely on individuals’ appearance or nationality.

Reports can be filed through the prefectural website by providing personal information such as name, address and phone number, and must include a copy of identification, such as a driver’s license, the prefecture said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think more local government units and prefectures in Japan should follow Ibaraki Prefecture’s policy on dealing with illegal foreign workers found being hired by businesses? Do you think such a policy will improve Japan’s way of removing illegal foreign workers and cleaning up the private sector from such people? Is Ibaraki Prefecture’s 10,000 Yen reward good enough? Do you think Ibaraki Prefecture should come up a new policy to punish foreigners who cause public disturbances?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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South Korean Fugitive Arrested In Las Piñas City

April 23, 2026April 20, 2026carlocarrasco

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it apprehended a South Korean fugitive in Las Piñas City for illegal online gambling operations

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BI’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. to intensify the crackdown on foreign fugitives and transnational crimes, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the arrest of a South Korean national wanted by international authorities for operating illegal online gambling operations.

BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) agents, in coordination with the Korean National Police Agency and the Philippine National Police–Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, arrested Lee Jonghak, 37, on Tuesday morning , April 14, at a residence in a subdivision in Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City.

Lee is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued in 2025, stemming from an arrest warrant released by the Incheon District Court on the same year for violations of South Korea’s National Sports Promotion Act related to illegal online gambling operations.

Investigations by Korean law enforcement revealed that from August 2021 until recently, Lee and his accomplices operated at least 23 illegal online gambling websites from different locations.

The group reportedly managed sports betting and casino-style games, recruited members, and facilitated financial transactions, generating over KRW 5.33 billion in profits. Authorities estimate the syndicate’s total earnings to have exceeded KRW 350 billion.

Lee reportedly served as an assistant manager overseeing multiple operational teams composed of around 300 employees. The exact amount he personally received remains under investigation.

Records from the BI showed that Lee last arrived in the Philippines in 2024 and was admitted under a probationary permanent resident visa. He was later included in the Bureau’s blacklist and watchlist as an undesirable alien and fugitive from justice.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you thankful to the Bureau of Immigration for arresting the fugitive?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

New Visas For Foreign Restaurant Workers Suspended By Japanese Government

April 21, 2026April 16, 2026carlocarrasco

Foreigners who planned to work in Japan’s restaurant sector will have to wait further or search for other new opportunities as the government of Japan officially suspended visas for foreign restaurant workers, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The Japanese government is no longer issuing visas for foreign specified skilled workers in the restaurant sector as the quota of 50,000 has nearly been reached — the first restriction of its kind since the current limit was set.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan suspended issuing certificates of eligibility for Type I Specified Skilled Worker visa applications received from Monday. The agency said that, according to preliminary data, the number of foreigners with Type I status working in the food service industry reached roughly 46,000 by the end of February.

It said that for applications received before Monday, certificates will be issued in order up to the quota limit.

In January 2026, the government decided to accept up to 805,700 individuals, expanded to 19 sectors, under the specified skilled worker program through March 2029, with the caps decided based on the degree of labor shortage in the respective fields.

“The food service industry was quicker to employ foreign skilled workers than in other sectors,” said an official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

“However, there is room for debate as to whether efforts to secure domestic talent, a prerequisite of the system, are being carried out to the fullest extent,” said the official.

The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act stipulates that the issuance of certificates of eligibility will be suspended if the number of foreign specified skilled workers is expected to exceed the quota.

The agency also said that, from Monday, requests from foreign skilled workers to switch to jobs in the food service industry are not being accepted in principle.

But technical interns who are already working in Japan and transitioning to a specified skilled worker visa in the sector will be given priority in the screening process, it said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the suspension of visas for foreign restaurant workers will not be harmful to the Japanese restaurant owners/operators? Do you think labor shortage in Japan’s restaurant sector is bound to happen sooner than later?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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