[GoNative]

Hi all

I'm an Aussie who moved to Japan 5 years ago with my wife (also Aussie) and we have pretty much decided that we'd like to live here for good.
We have bought a house and have investment property here, we both have secure long term jobs (not english teaching), we had our first child here in Sapporo and I own a bar in Hakodate which employs a few Japanese locals. Our Japanese is not fluent unfortunately but we live in a fairly vibrant ex-pat community in the Niseko area and most of our Japanese friends speak near fluent english. We both do Iaido and Kendo and through this have some very good connections with prominent local business people.

Just wondering when do you think the earliest would be we could apply for permanent residency and have a chance of getting it? Anyone else who isn't married to a J national that has got their PR? How long did it take you?