There is always the legal route... How about having her apply to be a resident of Japan. It is actually a rather simple process (having done it myself twice). She would need a reason (desire to experience the rich culture of Japan is a good one), she would be much better off with at least a 4 year degree and most importantly she needs a sponsor who basically signs his/her name away saying that if that person does anything that requires him/her to be deported that the sponsor will 1) Pay for the person's departure from Japan & 2) ensure that person leaves.

This process takes about three months the first time, more if there are extenuating circumstances. If your wife does the 90 day tourist VISA idea she is ok the first time (experience the culture to see if will like Japan), if she leaves and returns, leaves then returns and continues this process and then eventually applies for residency this will be a major red flag. Also, as an actual resident she would be able to WORK and would not be subject to any of the SOFA rules/regs.

Now for the big part...THIS ISN'T CHEAP! The residency application is only around 12,000 yen unless you hire a sponsor company (many in Tokyo), but the main expense is like what someone else wrote...No command sponsor ship means lack of full OHA and she isn't supposed to use the base hospital unless it is in an emergency then she will be stabilized and transferred to a Japanese hospital.

Yes she can. As stated on the CFAY website "Command sponsorship is not a requirement for Sofa Status" Sofa Status is what allows Active Duty Military, Contractors and their Dependents to legally stay in japan longer then the perscribled 90day tourist visa. I'd do your own reaseach as my situation was diffent but my wife (Polish National) and I were married in Japan while she was on a tourist Visa and all it took to get her SOFA Stamp in her passport was a 'Letter of Dependency' from CFAY and a trip down to the PSD passport window. Getting the letter took about 5 days and basically stated that she was my wife and I provided more then 50% support for her. Wife has been here legally for nearly a year now and is still not Command Sponsored. I don't get the married rate for rent or utilities but who cares the pay out here is insane enough as it is. My situation might be different from yours (i.e. Married in japan vice in the states) but in my time looking into this I have read nothing that says that you can't do the same.




Edit: Grammer