IIRC the Suica cards are valid for 10 years after the last recharge/use (not sure which one).

For many years I was a Suica user, because of the JR promo on the N'Ex - one got a return ticket + a Suica with some value on it for a discounted price. Return it to the JR office for the deposit every time, get a new one when arriving next time.

Since they discontinued this promo, I just got a Pasmo (nearest vending machine on arrival) and have used it ever since. Haven't noticed any practical differences between using the two. (the small coin rechargability is in favour of the Pasmo. Some Suica reload machines took only 1k yen bills)