MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday morning ordered the closure of a Japanese language center in Davao City for its alleged involvement in illegal recruitment activities.

The facility, identified as Sincere Japanese Skills Academy, Inc. (Sincere), is the fourth Japanese Language Center (JLC) shut down by the agency in just two weeks, following the closure of similar operations in Bulacan and Cebu.

According to DMW’s investigation, Sincere offered Japanese language training with promises of overseas employment in Japan. It also allegedly partnered with unauthorized recruitment groups, including the fraudulent Advanced Ability Association (AAA) and a licensed agency, in the supposed processing of overseas job placements.

The closure stemmed from complaints filed by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Japan who approached the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Tokyo. Victims said they were charged between Php 3,000 to Php 50,000 for language courses and were promised jobs as caregivers, food and beverage staff, or ground handlers in the aviation sector — provided they passed an exam following training.

The move to shut down Sincere was enforced under Closure Order No. 14, Series of 2025.

The DMW will include Sincere and its officials in its List of Persons and Entities with Derogatory Record, with corresponding charges for illegal recruitment to be filed.