Help Getting a japanese visa with criminal record

Hi all,

So I'm in a bit of a conundrum and I wonder if anybody possibly have any answers that can help me.

Quick background:
I used to live in japan, I studied there and lived there on and off with my girlfriend on tourist visas for over 6 years. I've been faschinated with the country since I was 7 years old and it has been my goal to live there for a long time. I speak japanese. At the moment I'm working on my university degree to be able to be eligible for a working visa.

The problem:
The problem is that in my time back in my home country, in the time after leaving japan last time, I've been caught and convicted for having smoked cannabis. I don't do it anymore but anyway, it is on my criminal record.

I know that they are super strict about narcotics in japan and that I'm technically not allowed to go there anymore. I also know that when flying there you get to fill out a small form where they ask you about criminal convictions before you can enter the country. From my research I realize that I can simply lie on this form and tick "No" as an answer and the japanese immigration will have no way of fact-checking my answer.

My concern however is rather the visa application in itself and also since I intend to settle down in Japan and live there for a long time, I will have to re-apply for new visas in the future and possibly also for a citizenship down the line. I'm worried and I wonder if I will have to supply the immigration office / embassy with my criminal records at some point? I would hate to have been living there for a few years and suddenly have to go back to my home country and start my life all over again. That would be even worse than not going at all.

So does anyone know if the japanese embassy or immigration will ask me to supply my criminal records at any point? Have I ruined my chances at living in japan?

Thank you for reading.

You also didn't say what you men by visa. Tourist visa or some kind of work visa or marriage visa.
Japan takes drug crimes very seriously. This includes marijuana which in the west we tend to blow off.
Supposedly if they find out you may not even be allowed to land in Japan
look at highlighted bits of this

or look at this Japan restricts entry to many convicted people

Welcome to the forum!

Since you have done your homework, you are probably aware of the legal implications:

(Denial of Landing)
Article 5 (1) Any foreign national who falls under any of the following items shall be
denied permission to land in Japan.

(iv) A person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or
any other country and has been sentenced to imprisonment with or without work for 1
year or more, or to an equivalent penalty. However, this shall not apply to those convicted
of a political offence.
(v) A person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or
of any other country relating to the control of narcotics, marijuana, opium, stimulants or
psychotropic substances, and has been sentenced to a penalty.

Click to expand...

If I were you, I would not lie about the criminal record, especially if you plan on living in Japan. Your best bet would be to contact Japan Immigration and inquire there.

They let Paul McCartney back into Japan after his marijuana conviction in Japan! So there are always circumstances that will be taken into consideration (severity of the conviction, etc...).

This bit seems incredibly naïve to me, and I can't imagine anyone making this kind of statement in 2022;

JoshEve5 said:

I realize that I can simply lie on this form and tick "No" as an answer and the Japanese immigration will have no way of fact-checking my answer.

Click to expand...

Be honest and you will have nothing to fear.

I seriously hope you somehow can go back to Japan and live there. It would be sad if they stopped you from going forever because of such rigidity.

If possible give an update of how it went, Id be grateful, anyway I have honest wishes that you can get there