Raj Feridun wrote:
> On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 08:42:30 +0900, Raj Feridun
> <rferid@NOSPAMyahoo.co.jp> wrote:

<snip>

>>When I initially came over in January, 1994 I was told in no uncertain
>>terms that the spouse visa must be issued prior to departure for Japan
>>and from a consulate office in the country of the applicant and cannot
>>be issued once you get here. I don't know if the rules have changed at
>>all in the 10 years since.
>>
>>Raj
> 
> Oh and I should mention I got mine from the Japanese Consulate office
> in New York City. I lucked out that they started me on a 3 year visa.
> I've some friends up in Kanto who tell me they got much shorter term
> visas to start out with. I'm doubly lucky that the immigration office
> down here in Ehime is rarely busy and I can quickly get my visa
> renewal unpleasantries dealt with every 3 years. Now I'm considering
> whether to go the whole 9 yards and apply for permanent residency.

I'm not sure whether that would be the full 9 yards (naturalization 
might be the better example of shitting a pineapple), but its probably 
worth picking up as soon as you're eligible. Might be pretty easy to do 
in Ehime as well, as the various regional immigration bureau(plural?) 
have a fairly surprising amount of autonomy. Comparing the policies of 
Nagoya and Sapporo immigration last month was an eye opener.


-- 
"Oh don't give me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ No, don't you give 
me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ For my head will fly, my tongue 
will lie, my eyes will fry and I may die/ Won't you pour me one more of 
that sinful Old Janx Spirit"