Those who are overstayed in Japan may be deported under the Immigration Law.

However, the Minister of Justice may grant the special permission to stay in Japan if:


1.they have obtained the permission for permanent residence;

2.they had been domiciled in Japan as Japanese nationals;

3.the Minister of Justice finds grounds for granting the special permission to stay; or

4.they have been recognized as refugees


No.3 is the most considerable. The cases where an overstaying foreigner is married to a Japanese and wishes to live in Japan for a very long time is applicable.

But you have to be careful that the decision will made by a close examination.