This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
As a rule, you cannot simply renew the status of residence 「日本人の配偶者等」. This is a status of residence based on your standing as a spouse, so once that standing is gone, the basis for renewal is gone too. However, by changing to 「定住者」 or to a work-related status of residence, you may be able to keep living in Japan.
An enquiry from a man who lost his Japanese wife, asking whether he can renew or change 「日本人の配偶者等」 and keep living in Japan.
As a rule, no.
If your Japanese spouse has died, as a rule you cannot simply renew the status of residence 「日本人の配偶者等」. This status of residence is granted on the basis of your standing as the spouse of a Japanese national, so once that standing is gone, the basis for renewal is gone too.
However, even after your spouse has died, you may be able to keep living in Japan by changing to another status of residence.
There are 3 possibilities: 「定住者」, a work-related status of residence, and 「特定活動」.
A foreign national whose Japanese spouse has died may in some cases be granted the status of residence 「定住者」 (Long-Term Resident). In screening, the following points are taken into account.
If you have specialist knowledge or skills for working in Japan, you can consider changing to a work-related status of residence. If you can take a job that meets the requirements of a status of residence such as 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services), it is possible to change to that status. In this case, you need to obtain a job offer from a company in Japan.
Even if none of the above statuses of residence applies, the status of residence 「特定活動」 (Designated Activities) is sometimes granted depending on the individual circumstances. A long record of living in Japan, or your contribution to Japanese society, may be taken into account.
Speak to the 地方出入国在留管理局 as early as you can, gather the necessary documents, and apply for the change.
In screening for a new status of residence, it becomes important that you have the financial means and the housing to lead a stable life in Japan. A marriage of 5 years and a record of living in Japan are factors that are taken into account in an application to change to 「定住者」. The most important thing is first to explain your situation in detail to the 地方出入国在留管理局 and check what procedures are possible.
As a rule, no. This status of residence is granted on the basis of your standing as the spouse of a Japanese national, so once that standing is gone, the basis for renewal is gone too.
There are 3 possibilities: 「定住者」, a work-related status of residence such as 「技術・人文知識・国際業務」, and 「特定活動」. Which one suits you differs according to your own situation.
The length of the marriage, your base of life in Japan (years of residence, occupation, assets, whether you have relatives or friends here, Japanese ability, how well you have settled into Japanese society and so on), and humanitarian considerations according to the individual circumstances.
Report this to the 地方出入国在留管理局 with jurisdiction as early as you can, and ask about your residence from here on. Under 入管法第22条の4第1項第7号, if you do not carry out the activities of a spouse continuously for 6 months or more, the status of residence is said to be liable to revocation (except where there is a justifiable reason). So even if there is still time before your period of stay expires, it is important to move early.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.