[jasonbvr]

I would assume that the easiest route would be to enter on a tourist visa. I don't know about Australian citizens, but I am assuming tourist visas are granted upon arrival without a lot of paper work needed done beforehand or on the spot as with US citizens. Next I would assume you will apply for the spouse of a permanent resident. I don't think it really matters how long your wife has been outside of Japan. As long as she has retained her Japanese citizenship I believe she would be considered a permanent resident.

Nyororin will probably know more about this. I have a few questions. Do those with a spousal visa from marrying a Japanese citizen need to purchase the re-entry permits for travel? Second, what is the length of the long term resident visa?