My partner and I are in our 50s (51, 56), have been going to Japan for a month each year for the past 6-7 years (barring Covid time) and are more and more tempted by living there.
I'm a Software Developer with a Software Engineering degree and 25 years of experience, Japanese level is only N4ish but I'd obviously expect to be much better before going there (we both speak 4-5 languages fluently and have lived in different countries).
My partner also has a degree and over 10 years of experience, albeit in healthcare, she has very basic Japanese.
I'd be happy with the idea of just retiring there but that seems extremely unlikely, the only way to my eyes would be to buy a couple of properties and rent them out through a company to get a business visa but not sure how feasible that is and if it would work for both of us.
Otherwise, moving there, getting jobs with the aim of permanent residency before retirement age would seem like the best bet. I should be able to find work, partner would be trickier but there is always language teaching to consider as a backup for her.
For me, I could reach 70 points (with N2 and expected high earnings) to apply for PR after 3 years, however for my partner, she would surely earn quite a bit less and have to wait 10 years, i.e. beyond retirement age before applying.
Is this correct, am I missing anything?
Any other paths to consider?
If we were married, partner could get spousal visa (if I find a job) and hopefully work part-time but PR would still be an issue, wouldn't it?
If the worst comes to the worst, we could spend 6 months per year of retirement (3 months + 3 months) in Japan but of course worldwide health insurance becomes trickier and maybe other issues we haven't yet considered.
Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully received.
by GingerPrince72