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- A Close Call
- By: Amy Uehara
- The UMJ Volume 2.7 (Opinion)
- By: Amy Uehara
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My three year visa expires October 4, and my US passport
expires October 27, and I have no re-entry permits on hand. This
is the year we've decided to obtain my permanent visa or
eijyuken.
In August, we started the thirteen year of our marriage and we joke about having to be careful. We've had our share of close calls in the past. Last year, we built our home in the country as part of our decision to make Japan our home. My name is nowhere on the documents. Nor am I listed as living here. I am the beneficiary if any thing happens to my husband but my son would become the listed head of household. In August, we had our first matsuari in the mountains with the omikoshi being carried up and down steep grades by old timer, new comers, and drunks. It seemed pretty risky to me but I bit my tongue. I turned my head as my six year old son joined in. For the first time in our marriage, my husband gave up halfway before going over the next mountain. My son went on. Then we heard an ambulance go up the mountain. I panicked and raced the car to the scene where a 24 year old gambariyasan lay on his back bleeding excessively. He'd fallen over a guard rail 6 meters to another lower road. He's now in coma. It wasn't my son. It wasn't my husband. If it had been my husband, I would not have had a permanent visa to stay in Japan indefinitely past October 4 or even the needed three year visa. I would be obliged to apply for a one year care -giver visa for my two children. I will get that permanent visa & keep multiple re-entry permits on hand before we have another close call.
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