Hey r/japanlife, using a throwaway for privacy. I’m a 30-year-old guy in Okinawa on a spouse visa, married to my Japanese wife for 1.5 years. She has a 4-year-old daughter from a previous relationship (I’m the stepdad and treat her like my own—cooking for her, taking her to parks, babysitting while my wife is out, school events, etc. I have pics/videos as proof). But my wife’s schizophrenia is getting out of control, and it’s putting my life here at risk. Need advice on how to protect myself legally/immigration-wise.
Background: She’s had severe episodes—hospitalized 1-2 years in the past, lost custody of her daughter temporarily (had to fight to get her back). She’s stable most days but triggers over small things (a joke, me not paying enough attention). Last night, I came home from work, she and the daughter were eating, and she flipped out over nothing—started screaming I don’t love her, accused me of abuse (I never touch her), threatened self-harm (she has wrist marks from past attempts), and said she’ll go to police claiming domestic violence or to a shelter with the daughter to be “safe” from me. I didn’t react, just tried to calm her, but she kept yelling “I regret bringing you to Japan” (she sponsored my visa). This isn’t new—she threatens divorce/police/self-harm in every fight, sends texts like “I’ll kill you” or “get out of my life” (I have screenshots/voice notes).
I love the kid, have a base job, friends—don’t want to leave Japan. But her threats are exhausting, and I’m worried she’ll fabricate DV claims to force me out.
by don_medovic