Inagawa Motoko (IMO) - A Terrible Talent Agency

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Most foreigners interested in working in Japan's entertainment industry have heard or will hear of the agency known as Inagawa Motoko (aka IMO).  It's one of the largest, if not the largest talent agency specializing solely in foreign talent.  But this does not mean it's respectable or professionally managed.  In fact, the reality is quite the opposite.

In writing this I hope to expose this sham of an agency for what it really is--a den of common thieves.  Furthermore, it is my wish that others sharing my plight may join my crusade to spread the word about these con artists.  Ultimately, my goal is total shutdown of their unethical business practices--which equates to their entire business model.  If nothing else, I want the public made aware before more unsuspecting foreigners are taken advantage of and exploited.

After getting laid off from my IT job, I decided to sign up at IMO hoping to at least make some money while searching for a new IT job.  Since my schedule was quite free, I was available for just about any jobs they offered me.

My very first job was for a Japanese TV show.  At that shoot I met some other foreigners working in the entertainment industry.  I told them I was new to IMO, and that this was my first job.  After I said that, a friendly fellow American pulled me aside and told me to be very careful with IMO.  I asked why.  He then asked me, "When did they tell you that you'd be paid?"  I replied, "2 months after the job."  "Ha! Ha!" he shot back.  "More like 6 months, and you have to bitch and whine to get it."

At other jobs the IMO sentiment was exactly the same.  Lines like "IMO sucks," "IMO never pays," "IMO owes me money" constantly reverberated amongst the foreign talent.  At one job I was promised the money in cash that same day.  When I got to the front of the line, they told me I'd be paid via bank transfer the next morning.  I checked my bank account, and no money.  They lied to my face.

How IMO's Scam Works
* Unsuspecting foreigners (you) interested in Japan's show business are invariably referred to IMO as the best bet for entry into the industry.  The agency successfully banks on the massive supply of ignorant foreigners seduced by the allure of show biz.
* You sign up at IMO.  They take some information and a few photos of you.  They ask you how free your schedule is.  This is key for them because they need people with free and open schedules.  They tell you that you'll be paid 2 months after a job, and you need a Mitsui Sumitomo bank account.  Suspiciously, they won't ask for your bank account information.  In fact, you'll have to give that to them multiple times via phone, email, and in person.
* If you have a free and open schedule, then you'll start getting phone calls asking if you're free this day and that day.
* If you fit what they're looking for, then you'll get the "job" and be asked to show up at such-and-such a train station.  They won't provide any other details about the job like what it pays, how long you'll be working, etc.  Ask them quickly before they hang up.  Additionally, nothing is ever provided in writing--no contracts, receipts, nothing.
* You do the "job," and you'll meet other foreigners who will invariably complain about IMO.  They'll tell you the same things I'm writing here.
* Your free labor is exploited as much as possible as you wait the 2 months after your first job.  Hopefully for them, you will have done several jobs before realizing the money is not paid after 2 months.  It is transferred 5-6 months later, if at all.  IMO has successfully conned free labor out of you and pocketed your salary as 100% profit.  In other words, they lied to your face and stole your money.

What Happens If You Complain
The obvious thing to do is complain that you haven't received your money.  Here's how the con artists deal with you:
* "We'll check into it and call you back."  Another lie.  They won't call you back.
* "The accounting guy is not here right now."  Is there really an accounting guy?
* "Please call back tomorrow."  You call back tomorrow and a different guy is there telling you to call back tomorrow.  Round and round you go.
* "Are you registered with us?"  Ah...yeah...you've been calling me and offering me jobs!
* "What's your name and phone number?"  Don't play dumb...you obviously already have my phone number!
* "We have another job for you."  Evidently, the several con artists they have working there don't communicate with each other.  You have to tell each and every one individually that you want your money.

Complaining this way doesn't get you very far.  The only thing they'll pay you is excuses.

How To Get Paid
I finally got paid by simply writing them an email that said, "If I don't receive my money by Friday, I will go to the Labor Department (労働基準監督署) on Monday."  I was paid the same day I wrote the email.  That works!  They obviously don't want the Labor Department involved.

If you still don't get paid (highly unlikely), I recommend complaining to the Labor Department.  Here is the one you need to contact:
http://www.roudoukyoku.go.jp/shisetsu/kantoku/k-map-03.html

Avoid IMO
Not surprisingly, they stopped calling me and offering me jobs after they paid me.  I guess they don't like paying people for work!  Please save yourself a lot of time and trouble by avoiding Inagawa Motoko Talent Agency.