Originally Posted by
railroadtycoon
Just curious why your friend didn't apply for spouse status or a dependent status (if his wife was not Japanese but living in Tokyo). The dependent status would of let him stay in Japan without the expensive need to leave and return to Japan while he searched for a full time job. He could of also worked some part-time gigs on the dependent status as well (with an additional endorsement from Immigration).
Thought of that as well.
The spousal means I cannot earn income for about a year in Japan. I would then still be reliant on my job outside of Japan thus won't be around to help my inlaws.
An Nikkei visa would allow me to earn income immediately if / when we decide to move back. We can restart our new life in Japan sooner with some preparation before hand.
That is why we are applying for everything before and being as prepared as well as can be.