Japan PR delays: does moving prefecture help?

Hey everyone,

I wanted to ask for some firsthand experiences from people who have already applied for Permanent Residency (永住権) in Japan.

I know the application takes a long time in Tokyo these days, and for a few reasons I'd like to get my PR as fast as possible.

Since I work remotely, I technically have the flexibility to move and apply through a different bureau.

But I'm not sure if it would actually make a difference in terms of shortening the PR timeline.

On the flip side, I also wonder if moving right before applying could backfire, like triggering extra internal reviews, raising flags, or just slowing things down because my case officer would change.

For context, I’m currently on a Highly Skilled visa.

Any personal experiences or insights would be super appreciated 🙏

Thanks in advance!