Do you think this might get me in trouble??

[Keihan]

And is it worthwhile doing it? Hear me out: I'm considering applying for a spouse visa just to come to Japan for a three week vacation.

We all know Japan is reopening, albeit in retarded phases. When the "tour group" and max entry restrictions are removed, whenever that may be, the floodgates will open and it's going to be a colossal clusterfuck of biblical proportions. I do not want to experience that.

I'm married to a Japanese national. On more than one occasion she has suggested I apply for the spouse visa and we visit Japan. And watching the Japanese government continue to drags its feet over reopening (not that I'm complaining) has made the idea much more appealing. And of course, most appealing would be the dick-hardening fact that I would be able to enter the country before the disgusting hordes of foreign tourists, buy all the shit I've been dreaming about for two years (new DSLR, a few expensive watches, Uniqlo Airism underwear) with the ridiculous exchange rate and enjoy all of the places and things I enjoy enjoying in peaceful, Chinese-free bliss.

But would it get me into trouble, possible future trouble, with the Japanese government/immigration? Can anyone think of any issues I might encounter? A client of mine was able to get his spouse visa from the local embassy in a couple of months, so I'm thinking I definitely have time for a nice Fall trip in late November.

I've been running the scenarios through my head and it's been so many years since I moved to Japan that I can't even remember the process, and that process has probably changed since 2003.

I'm guessing...I show up at the airport...get my new visa stamped at airport immigration...I think last time I had so many days before I had to report to my ward office to register as a resident alien and get my gaijin card...go ape-fucking-shit for three weeks and then, what...just go back to HND, surrender my gaijin card and tell them I changed my mind and Japan sucks and I'm going home?

Things I ponder when I'm supposed to be working.

 

[TAG Manager]

The bottom line is that you're not doing anything illegal.

Fact: You're married to a Japanese national. This entitles you to a spouse visa and that's really the end of it.

So long as you have a registered address and complete the procedures, it shouldn't really an issue.

When you leave Japan - they'll ask if you are planning to return within 1 year. You can simply tell them no and turn in your zairyu card when you depart the airport.
If you do plan to return within one year, then you can technically keep the card and do re-entry on your next trip. If you do keep the 'residence' - I guess that will get more sticky with all the other requirements for healthcare, pension, etc. That I'm not so sure about, but if you dump the card when you leave... then I think you'd be ok.

(I don't know the specifics of the spouse visa requirements such as the family register and what docs you need)

 

[Durg50]

Doesnt sound illegal and even if it were, i get the impression that you would rather enjoy a few weeks in jail here (plenty of brotherly camaraderie in the communal showers) so its kind of a no lose situation for you.

 

[Frenchy]

Just DO IT!
Anyway Im sure they are more lenient with the Yamato descendants than with all the third world looking types like us blue-eyed Yankees and Frogs

 

[MikeH]

Doesnt sound illegal and even if it were, i get the impression that you would rather enjoy a few weeks in jail here (plenty of brotherly camaraderie in the communal showers) so its kind of a no lose situation for you.

Actually, it is illegal. When you apply for a spouse visa it is to be able to live in Japan.

Though that also means the only way they could find out you broke the law is if you yourself go and tell them you never intended to live in Japan. If you just tell them three weeks later that things changed and you are now moving back all is fine with the law.

 

[Ken1988]

No problem at all. Just click "Temporary Visitor Visa (1) For Spouse or Child of Japanese National/Former Japanese National" in the below link to see the visa application procedure.

You need your wife's 戸籍謄本 to prove you are the spouse of your wife, and your wife needs to contact her domicile municipality 本籍地 in Japan directly to get one. It may take some weeks to get 戸籍謄本 (as they don't even accept fax machine...). If you are planning to apply for a visa, you should act now on this.

For a temporary visitor, no Zairyu card will be issued.

https://www.honolulu.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_visa_en.html

 

[9alucard6]

Ken1988 is correct. You can just apply for a spouse visa (temporary visitor 90 days / category V) and enter Japan while flying together with your wife or alone. Concurrently, the process should not take longer than 5-10 days at your local embassy.

Submitting a copy of the 戸籍謄本 is sufficient, whereas, it cannot be older than 3 months from the date of issuance. Further you will need a copy of your itinerary (no need to have a booked ticket, just print from the internet) as well as fill in the visa application form.

I travelled to Japan in 2020 and 2021 - the current procedure became way easier than prior.

 

[Keihan]

When you leave Japan - they'll ask if you are planning to return within 1 year. You can simply tell them no and turn in your zairyu card when you depart the airport.
If you do plan to return within one year, then you can technically keep the card and do re-entry on your next trip. If you do keep the 'residence' - I guess that will get more sticky with all the other requirements for healthcare, pension, etc. That I'm not so sure about, but if you dump the card when you leave... then I think you'd be ok.

You know, that never occurred to me. If I do re-entry, I could come back and stand in the shorter re-entry line at the airport. But you're right, I'd be worried about all the other requirements and bureaucracies I'd have to re-enroll in, and I still owe a small ward in Osaka about 180k in taxes (in theory).

 

[Keihan]

Doesnt sound illegal and even if it were, i get the impression that you would rather enjoy a few weeks in jail here (plenty of brotherly camaraderie in the communal showers) so its kind of a no lose situation for you.

I was perusing my Twitter list of accounts I'm now following, and I'm noticing a disturbing trend in the increasing number of cross-dresser accounts on that list. Mid-life crisis? Pre-coming-out? Time for AA? Only time will tell.

 

[Keihan]

No problem at all. Just click "Temporary Visitor Visa (1) For Spouse or Child of Japanese National/Former Japanese National" in the below link to see the visa application procedure.

You need your wife's 戸籍謄本 to prove you are the spouse of your wife, and your wife needs to contact her domicile municipality 本籍地 in Japan directly to get one. It may take some weeks to get 戸籍謄本 (as they don't even accept fax machine...). If you are planning to apply for a visa, you should act now on this.

For a temporary visitor, no Zairyu card will be issued.

https://www.honolulu.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_visa_en.html

Thank you for that link! My wife was actually just discussing this with me about an hour ago. She says there's a "family visitor" visa that I can apply for that will get me in, and all she needs to do is have the relatives send over her koseki-tohon. She's actually saying we should go ASAP, perhaps September or October after the heat breaks, just to be sure we get back before the hordes of Chinese tourists return.

Fucking TAG...the number of smart folks here in a forum dedicated to lecherous deviants is astounding. You people shouldn't enable me.

 

[CharlieSimms]

Woo hoo! Finally!!

 

[Sudsy]

the number of smart folks here in a forum dedicated to lecherous deviants is astounding

Shouldn't be. We're the ones that figured out it's safer and less expensive to see escorts than it is to date women we aren't serious about.

 

[Keihan]

Shouldn't be. We're the ones that figured out it's safer and less expensive to see escorts than it is to date women we aren't serious about.

Seeing escorts is safer and less expensive than just about any other hobby or pastime an active man can have (not to mention more enjoyable).

 

[Keihan]

I've actually got tickets booked for late-November. Anyone think the Japanese government is going to fully reopen to tourism by then? I get the distinct feeling it's not, but sunny optimism is a flaw of mine.

 

[TAG Manager]

Anyone think the Japanese government is going to fully reopen to tourism by then?

No.
COVID numbers are skewing upwards again and you can feel the panic just walking around.
Although, I suppose it will hinge on the elections this weekend.

I just can't see it happening, I still think we really won't see normal tourism until we're well into 2023.

 

[Keihan]

No.
COVID numbers are skewing upwards again and you can feel the panic just walking around.
Although, I suppose it will hinge on the elections this weekend.

I just can't see it happening, I still think we really won't see normal tourism until we're well into 2023.

That's what I was thinking, after seeing the Japan Times printing stories about the numbers going up again in Tokyo. I'll be crossing my fingers for a tourist-free 2022. Hope springs eternal.

 

[Sudsy]

Hope springs eternal.

So does psoriasis.

 

[Ken1988]

That's what I was thinking, after seeing the Japan Times printing stories about the numbers going up again in Tokyo. I'll be crossing my fingers for a tourist-free 2022. Hope springs eternal.

Frontline MDs for the COVID wards in Japanese hospitals are now assertively opptimistic (saying, "even BA.5, it's almost like flu"), and the medical asociation chiefs, who were once very crtical on the government's handling of the pandemic, are urging the relaxation of the pandemic-era restrictions. So the issue is political. If the LDP wins sufficient Upper House seats on Sunday, the changes may be very quick.

 

[TAG Manager]

Frontline MDs for the COVID wards in Japanese hospitals are now assertively opptimistic (saying, "even BA.5, it's almost like flu"), and the medical asociation chiefs, who were once very crtical on the government's handling of the pandemic, are urging the relaxation of the pandemic-era restrictions. So the issue is political. If the LDP wins sufficient Upper House seats on Sunday, the changes may be very quick.

I'm retaining my pessimistic view until the election results come out. To be honest, if there's a significant change in the months subsequent to the election, I will be flabbergasted.

 

[CharlieSimms]

Has an erection in Japan ever changed anything? I am hoping for a longer transition.. Today the only other foreigner on my bus (rolling a big suitcase around no doubt) was maskless and oblivious to everyone around him almost climbing out the windows to distance themselves. Sigh.

 

[Sudsy]

Has an erection in Japan ever changed anything? I am hoping for a longer transition.. Today the only other foreigner on my bus (rolling a big suitcase around no doubt) was maskless and oblivious to everyone around him almost climbing out the windows to distance themselves. Sigh.

I ran into one of those - older guy. Told him directly to put his mask on, he harumphed and sidled to the other end of the train, where he promptly took it off again.

This is going to be so much fun when the tourists arrive....

 

[Ken4fb]

Has an erection in Japan ever changed anything?

Erection is always a good thing and not only in Japan, no?

 

[CharlieSimms]

Well probably not while giving a presentation to the Board or in that meeting with HR.. or when getting the random stop by the popo in Ueno.. As examples. But generally having more of them, and harder ones, are good things indeed! And if one can’t seem to rise to the occasion, a respected philosopher once said just find a hotter partner!!

 

[Acid Burn]

Erection is always a good thing and not only in Japan, no?

I’ve asked my Japanese tutor how to say election before while trying to talk about this situation and from the brief look of confusion in her eyes I thought aww crap, she just heard erection, let me hurry up and type the word out before she thinks I’m turning into a creepy ojisan.

 

[Ken4fb]

a respected philosopher once said just find a hotter partner!!

Wise words indeed.

aww crap, she just heard erection

If she is hot then I don't see any problem here.
If she is not then yeah...