I am sure it has already been said - sorry, but I could not bother to read through all 61 pages of this massive thread - but the title and the OP makes a lot of sense. Getting a college degree greatly improves your chances of being able to reside here legally.
Of course, if all you want is 30 to 89 days, then no need - just come over on a visa waiver as a
tourist if your country qualifies.
Or, if you have the funds - you might try studying at one of the colleges in Japan. I know some people who have done it successfully. However, coming over as a transfer student on exchange is more common - and that includes
Rotary Exchange. And, for those who managed to get one of those comfortable
Monbusho scholarships, but I've met more who've gotten the
research scholarships - which generally requires a college degree...
For the most part, the overall conditions for visas and visa approval are being applied more stringently. Take a look at some of the examples being put out by Japanese Immigration on applicants they rejected for permanent residency... in the past, they probably would have been a near-automatic shoe-in. You can expect similar tightening up for Specialist in Humanities and International Services visa:
Permission for Permanent Residence
Quote:
[Unsuccessful Applicants for Permanent Residence Status]
(Case #1)
The applicant allegedly produces, fosters and exports Japanese race horses, serves as a management consultant for horse-producing farmers and gives lectures. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the applicant has stayed in Japan only for a short period (1 year and a half).
(Case #2)
The applicant allegedly produces and owns many fine art works as an artist painter and donates his works to newly-opened art museums. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the applicant has a bad record (he was involved inforeign national's illegal stay in Japan).
(Case #3)
The applicant allegedly serves as a teacher at an educational institute forforeign national's children's. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because such applicant's activities do not fall under social contribution to Japan.
(Case #4)
The applicant allegedly works at high school as a teacher for a year and is involved with volunteer activities as such as interpreter. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because such applicant's activities do not fall under social contribution to Japan.
(Case #5)
The applicant started his new business in Japan and still runs such business. However, his investments, profit level or other business performances are not so significant. The immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the authority does not find it contribution to Japanese economy or industries so much.
(Case #6)
The applicant has worked on his research activities as a research student at university. However, as he engages in his research activities under guidance of professor, his research activities are almost the same as those of ordinary students. The immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the authority does not find it contribution in Japan's research field so much.
(Case #7)
The applicant has served as a director at an investment firm. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the authority does not find it contribution to Japanese economy and has not made other contributions to Japan.
(Case #8)
The applicant has served as an assistant director at a system developer firm. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the authority does not find it contribution to Japanese economy so much and have not made other contributions to Japan.
(Case #9)
The applicant has stayed in Japan for about 9 years, has composed music and held recitals for playing his own compositions served, and has allegedly made significant efforts in interactions in music between Japan and his home nation. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the authority does not find it contribution in Japan's cultural and art scenes so much.
(Case #10)
The applicant has stayed in Japan for about 9 years, has coordinated Japanese artists' many performance shows in his home nation, and has allegedly engaged in holding events to encourage mutual understandings between Japanese firms and corporations in his home nations. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the authority does not find it contribution to Japan.
(Case #11)
Since entering Japan, the applicant has stayed in Japan for 3 years as an international student. Then, he served as an assistant at Japan's medical school for 5 years. However, the immigration control authority denied the permanent residence status because the authority does not find it contribution to improving Japan's higher education level.
(Case #12)
The applicant entered Japan as an assistant teacher of foreign language, having spent the first 3 years as a teacher of a junior high school in Japan and then about 4 years as a teacher in a senior high school. However, the immigration control authority did not find it contribution to improving the level of Japan’s higher education, judging that applicant’s career in Japan is not equivalent to that of full-time teachers, professors, assistant professors or lecturers of university or equivalent academic institution, and thus denied the permanent residence status. (The applicant has stayed in Japan for 6 years and 11 months.)
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And, let's say you argue that all you want to do is come here to cosplay and otherwise fuck around. Unless you have your parents sending over $40,000 every year, you need to work. In the past, anyone on a Cultural Visa (say you wanted to study Karate, Aikido etc) would (and still do) rely upon that old reliable fallback -
engrish teaching. White Europeans from non-English speaking countries could even get decent gigs in contrast to Asian Americans or anyone else who 'did not look gaijin enough'. That situation still exists but things have been tightening up over time. More places demand a college degree, for example.
Want some advice on what to do to best prepare? Read the OP's post. Go to college and forget some weird fantasy that the Imperial Household Agency has been reading your posts and the emperor will extend a personal invitation for you to stay at the palace for as long as you wish eating moon cakes and doing cosplay... "
don't be stealing my dream~~~~!"