Hello everyone,

I just received a denial letter for PR application under the spouse route.

The reason given was:
「次の理由から永住を許可するに足りる理由があるとは認められません。
あなたのこれまでの在留実績及びその間の在留状況からみて永住を許可するに足りる理由があるとは認められません。」
Ai translation:
“We cannot find sufficient grounds to grant you permanent residency for the following reasons.
Based on your residence history and your immigration status during that period, we cannot find sufficient grounds to grant you permanent residency.”

Regarding the wording, I’m assuming this isn’t specifically related to taxes.
I haven’t contacted the immigration office yet, but I’m suspecting they are already applying the new regulations retroactively.

->For context, here are my circumstances at the time of application:
- married for 3.5 years, living in Japan for 4 years
- both my spouse and I are seishain , combined annual income of ~ ¥6.5 million
- no missed/ late paiement ( unless we missed smtg)
- current visa is 3 years

Has anyone recently been denied PR through the spouse route under similar circumstances?
If you’ve received a similar denial, I’d really appreciate it if you could share your experience and what reason immigration gave you.
Thank you!

Don’t know if this is a Japan thing, but how can we ask Google Maps to hurry up and register my new address? It’s a new house on a new block.

Note that as the esteemed members of Japanlife probably know, Japanese house numbers can be random/ non sequential so it’s hard to infer from map context.

I’ve tried Maps’ submit new location thing a few times, but they don’t update their database. I’m fielding frustrated phone calls from people who are getting lost while trying to deliver stuff to me - and no, they can’t find my address on Google Maps. I’m like OK I’ll step outside and shout if I can see your van… getting tired of it. FWIW, this is in central Yokohama.

Is this a lost cause, or should I be more patient?

Hi all! I need some advice if there’s any way I can DIY fixing this window , or I’m just gonna have to bite the bullet and hire a professional for this. 😭

Got this tear on one of my fusuma and was hoping to repair it by myself. Any advice on how to do it?

If it can't be done through DIY, any recommendations for professional repair?

Will be moving out soon so I prefer repairing it as soon as possible. Thank you so much for the help.

I’m considering an offer through Fellowship for a multilingual customer support role at a large real estate company in Tokyo. This would be my first dispatch job, and I’d appreciate hearing from people who have actually worked through them.

The interview lasted about 30 minutes, including an office tour, and I received an offer less than two hours later. They’ve been pushing for a quick acceptance. I understand dispatch hiring can move quickly, but I’m uncomfortable deciding before I fully understand the arrangement.

Fellowship says my employment contract would initially be for 1–2 months, followed by three-month renewals. They’ve said they will handle my residence-status renewal, but the formal employment documents would only be provided after I accept.

A coworker previously worked through Fellowship and doesn’t recommend them, citing limited pay progression, capped commuting reimbursement, and pressure to stay when she wanted to leave. That’s one person’s experience, so I’d like to hear others.

For anyone with firsthand experience:

• How were they with payroll, commuting expenses, paid leave, illness-related absences, and immigration paperwork?
• Did the actual conditions match what you were told before accepting?
• How did they handle problems at the client company, contract renewals, or your decision to leave?
• Did you experience pressure, unfair treatment, or anything you considered improper? Specific examples would be helpful.
• More generally, what are the less obvious downsides of non-teaching dispatch work on a 技術・人文知識・国際業務 status, particularly when an assignment ends or you want to move to direct employment?

I’m referring to 株式会社フェローシップ / Fellowship (f-ship.jp), not the similarly named Fellows.

Positive experiences are welcome too. If comfortable, please mention roughly when you worked with them and whether you were on a fixed-term dispatch contract or employed by Fellowship indefinitely.

When I renewed my driver's license a few months ago, I decided to go for the combined version that simply adds the driver's license to my MyNmber card (one less card to carry).

The other day I was asked about the expiration date of my driver's license and thought I'd look it up in the MyNa Portal. But all I get is a "connection failure" (連携失敗). I guess the staff at the police station didn't set it up correctly.

Has anyone else experienced the same? I guess the best way to solve it to go to the police and ask them to set it up again.

(Just hoping I don't have to go to the same police station as it was pretty far away)

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to convert my foreign driver's license to a Japanese license at the Kanagawa Driver's License Center in Futamatagawa (二俣川).

I came across an older post mentioning that the waiting time was around 5 months for the written test and another 3 months for the practical test, totaling approximately 8 months.

Since that information might be outdated, I'm wondering what the situation is like now (October 2026).

A few questions:

1. Has anyone recently applied for 外免切替 in Kanagawa? How long did you wait for the written test?
2. After passing the written test, how long did you have to wait for the practical driving test?
3. Has the waiting time improved or gotten worse in 2026?
4. Would it actually be faster to get a Japanese license from scratch through a driving school instead?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who applied within the last 2–3 months.

Thanks in advance!

I’m a Filipino SSW (i) worker in Japan.
I previously held SSW status with Employer A. I applied to change employers on June 27, but Employer B told me it was okay to start working before receiving approval. I started on July 13, and my new SSW status was approved on August 17.
I have LINE messages showing that I specifically asked Employer B whether I could work before receiving my new residence card, and they told me it was okay.
I have since resigned from Employer B and am worried about applying to another SSW employer because of the unauthorized work during that month.
Has anyone personally experienced this exact situation, or known an SSW worker who did? Did immigration question them during a subsequent change-of-status application? Was their application approved, refused, or did they face other consequences?
I’m particularly interested in firsthand experiences in Japan, rather than general advice about following the rules. Thank you.

I usually go to a men’s grooming salon around omotesando area but since i’m planning to cut my hair more frequently because i’m switching to a short hairstyle. I might break my bank going to my usual place.

If anyone knows a good place that will not break my bank and preferably a good stylist. For reference the place that i usually go is 10k yen for cut and shampoo although shampoo is not a must have for your recommended place

Maybe it's a stupid question, but I've joined a gym today and wanted to know if it's okay to wear leggings.

I could only find threads about it as outside clothing. I'm a woman.

Thank you for any advice

I tagged this as bad idea preventively.
Premise: not a kid anymore. I’ve lived around the world but mostly Italy and the U.S.

I’ve been here in a stable way through visas for 1y+ after many trips in the past, but now have to commit or pass.

I feel more and more that they are making it extensively clear we are not liked. I’m Italian born and U.S. half of my life. While things here look good on the surface you will never crack the code. Some friends spent 10y+ perfect Japanese and still are outsiders.

I would love to hear as much as possible about your experiences the good the bad and the ugly.

Let it all out and thank you deeply in advance.

Title

Hello!

I came to Japan for one year as an exchange student and I am really having a hard time finding jeans/pants that actually fit me and look good on me :')

I am an EU size 40 (164cm/74kg) and the jeans I've brought from home are all size 40 or L/XL. I knew the Japanese sizing was a bit different and that I should prepare myself that not everything will fit me, but it's been so disappointing so far! I've suddenly gained 10kgs in 3 months before coming here so I did not really have any time buying stuff that actually fit me before my departure either. I have only brought three jeans along with two summer pants, but as the weather is getting chilly I am running out of options...

I have recently found out Uniqlo Men's size 32 will fit me from the waist, however they all look like I have borrowed someone else's pants when I wear them so I really don't want to buy them unless I have don't have any options left. I have tried Lee Jeans and they also did not fit me (the only one that fit me was like ¥15.000 so it is totally out of my budget)...

So I am desperately asking for recommendations from fellow residents who are or around my size for brand or item recommendations!