Well, after 5 months of waiting, I finally got the call yesterday. I have finally been granted permanent residency status in Japan. No more visas. Beauty. All the time, effort and cost of this ordeal, just for this...

If you happen to be somebody living and working in Japan, I wrote some details about what you have to go through to get it. Check it out here. The only problem, of course, is that I'd rather be living in Thailand than Japan. Hmmmmm. 

Happy days!!

no more hoops and red tape

Lets have some beer!

Congrats! One Virtual Asahi for ya.

I wonder if they would revoke your permanent residence if they knew you would rather be living in Thailand? ;-)

congrats mike hope it goes well for you!!

"... The only problem, of course, is that I'd rather be living in Thailand than Japan...."

Why getting hesitate lah?? eieiei... ;B

Wow! Thats great, congratulations! Japan really needs foreigners to back up their dwindling population.

happy for you Mike congrat :::: a presto )

Congratulations on your PR thing. Don't you want to have one in TH? LOL

One more thing, nice things posted over there, esp the puggy

yoo, make yourself a trip to Greatwall? :-)

congrats

yes the great wall of japan lol

congrat!!! i like Japan!!!!!!!!!

hey i want one of those!

Thanks for the supportive comments guys. Much appreciated. And yes, yes, yes on the beers!!

S Farang: Well, the truth is that most gaijin here would rather be someplace else. Japan is more of a career choice than a lifestyle choice for most people.

Ni: Well, I guess I'd have to marry a Thai for that. Why, are you proposing??? eieiei. haha

Melted: Yeah, they need that -- but yet they are currently pushing all of the foreigners out (particularly the Japanese Brazilians) in response to the job crunch. But what happens when the economy pics up again? There's a reason why Japan has enjoyed 17 years of stagflation and an underperforming economy. But the food is great, so I'm here for a while at least!

Sergio: Grazie mille. Adesso posso fare "marpione" con visa in mano

Lan: I'm there, baby!

Mike >> à´ÕêÂÃàËÃÃ...ÃÔÃÔ ;B

Congratulations ;p