In September 1997, I applied for my three year spouse visa which was soon to expire as I often play chicken with the visa secretly hoping I will be deported to my home country. But after the summer Matsuri's accident that I wrote about in the fall, I realized I'd better take my life a little more seriously and apply for the permanent visa at the same time. Also the cost, both financially and time-wise spent traveling to Yokohama from Fujino is too much to do more than necessary.

The three year visa, the multiple re-entry permit and the fee for the receipt of my permanent visa alone in addition to the gasoline and parking fees and lunch for my family who accompanied me put me into a real financial hole. I'm not kidding when I say I worried if we'd have food on the table at the end of the month. And I had to go back and do it again when I went to get my passport and three year visa. I 'm sure Chinatown makes a real profit off of the hungry immigrants as the office is nearby (the only consolation).

Anyway, my application took only two and a half months to approve and as my husband had a project near the office, they let him pick it up! He was so alarmed at the difference in the way he was treated as opposed to the way the foreigners were treated.

The language used to address my husband was quite different from that used with foreigners. He was embarrassed to be treated with partiality. It was obvious to him that foreigners are not welcomed with open arms. I also wonder if my speedy approval wasn't due to my lower status as a housewife and a non-threatening economical inhabitant. I do nothing but consume local products and increase a shrinking population. I put back what I take out so to speak! But those employed and unskilled foreign spouses............. now I wonder how long it takes them to be approved?

(Let us know your own experiences with the permanent visa racket)