RResidents in Japan

5 Year Work Visa -> 1 Year. After 10 Years in Japan

  • March 14, 2026

Considering leaving Japan after spending nearly 10 years here. I started my journey at a top 10 University way back in August of 2016. I went from a student SOR, to Engineering and Humanties in April of 2021 after graudating and joining my first company. Currently earning 6m yen after 5 years of employment and will jump to around 7.5m soon.

I have:

  1. I have paid on time, all of my health insurance, resident taxes, income taxes, pension.

  2. I've never been unemployed after university although I have changed jobs twice for higher pay and more modern tech stacks.

  3. I have notified immigration every time I changed jobs within the 2 week required period.

  4. I made sure to check for any outstanding pension, insurance, or tax payments before applying for renewal.

  5. I have worked with native Japanese only in every job I've had and earned my JLPT N1 in 2021.

  6. I've never been arrested or stopped by the police.

  7. I've never been divorced which I've heard recently can affect your shot at PR or 5 year SOR duration.

I'm at my wits end and I'm just venting at this point.
I was expecting at the lowest a 3 year extension so I could still apply for PR THIS YEAR before revisions to immigration law force me to have a 5 year SOR and fork up 300,000 yen.

I suppose the dream of having a house with a good interest rate loan and a family here with my fiancé in the peaceful suburbs is dead for the forseeable future! Takaichi, respectfully, go find someone else to pay for your dying population. 😀

by MaddeningDay