The Goodwill Group, a Tokyo-based staffing company with holdings in the United States, was ordered by the Japanese government to close 67 of its Japanese branches for four months and the remainder for two months as punishment for illegal business practices, Reuters reported.

The company had earlier announced the possibility of sanctions, including a suspension of activities at its 737 offices, saying they arose following alleged violations of Japanese law over sending workers to dock jobs and double referrals, which aren't allowed in Japan. A double referral occurs when a worker sent to a client is dispatched by the client to another firm.