MANILA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Philippine government warned on Wednesday its people against illegally tavelling to Japan in search of work after six human trafficking cases involving Filipinos in Japan last year were reported.
"(Filipinos) should be vigilant of individuals, agencies, foundations, companies or organizations who promise employment and conversion of tourist visas to working visas or refugee visas upon arrival in Japan and charge exorbitant fees," Philippines' foreign department said in an advisory.
Following offers of work, a number of Filipinos have travelled there on tourist visas but later found themselves in fake or forced marriages with Japanese citizens.
It was also reported that among the six cases involving Filipinos, two were sexually exploited and four were made to work against their will.
The department urged Filipino nationals who wish to find employment in Japan to consult with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and to obtain appropriate working visa from the Japanese embassy in the Philippines.
About 10 million Filipinos, or a tenth of the population, go abroad to seek jobs, official estimates show.
