Permanent Residency in Japan

[larabell]

Hi,

As of noon (or so) yesterday, I now have a visa stamp in my passport which bears no expiration date. Having accomplished this feat allows me to debunk a couple of the stranger myths about Japanese permanent residency that I've picked up along the way.

First, you obviously don't have to be a famous celebrity or a sumo wrestler. I'm neither.

Second, you don't have to have a Japanese spouse (although, from what I hear, that can make the application more of a formality than a hurdle).

And, lastly, you don't have to fit the apparent high standards suggested by the examples presented on the MOFA website.

You probably *do* have to be able to show some committment to living in Japan (there are no written rules but I've been here over 10 years now). You probably also have to show some reason why you want to live here forever, other than simply enjoying the parties in Roppongi. We have two kids who were born here but, because Japanese citizenship only transmits by parentage, they're both US citizens. They played a large part in the "reasons" essay I wrote as part of the application. It's not certain which of the reasons I gave turned out to be the winner -- they don't return the paperwork with grades on each point. But you can bet they at least considered the reasons before granting the visa.

The point is that if you're patient, stable, and have good intentions, you *can* obtain permanent residency in Japan -- even if you're just a working stiff like the rest of us.

I hope this information helps encourage others who may be thinking of applying. If anyone is in that position and has questions as to my personal process, contact me either privately or on this thread.

[Chester Banks]

Thanks for that