This article is written by a Japanese local.
Visa screening by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency is strictly a “document-based” process, meaning approvals or denials are generally decided solely on the paperwork submitted. Unlike visa applications for countries like the United States, not everyone is required to undergo an interview.
Despite this, if you receive a formal summons stating, “We would like to hear from you, please report to the Immigration Office,” it signifies an extremely severe situation: “Your application is highly likely to be denied as is, and there are serious doubts regarding your documents.” This article thoroughly explains the real reasons Immigration conducts these interviews, the actual questions they ask, and the logical approaches to objectively prove your facts without panicking.
1. Why Are You Called for an “Interview (Hearing)”?
There is only one reason Immigration allocates time and personnel to conduct an interview: to directly question you and confirm their suspicion that “the contents of your documents deviate from reality (i.e., you are lying).” This occurs most frequently in the following two cases.
Case 1: Suspicions of a “Fake Marriage” in Spouse Visas
In the screening for a visa based on marriage to a Japanese national, Immigration does not judge the depth of your love, but rather the objective “substance of the marriage.” You are more likely to be called for a hearing if any of the following elements are present:
- An exceptionally large age gap between the couple (e.g., 20+ years).
- An unnaturally short period from the first meeting to marriage (common with dating apps or SNS).
- A lack of a common language to communicate fluently with each other.
- A history of divorcing a different Japanese national and remarrying immediately.
Case 2: Suspicions of “Fictitious Employment” or “Mismatched Duties” in Work Visas
When applying for a work visa to join a company, Immigration will doubt “whether you will actually perform the stated duties” in the following scenarios:
- A weak connection between your university major and your intended job duties.
- An unreasonably low salary level compared to your Japanese colleagues.
- No rational reason for the company to hire a foreign national, considering its scale and track record (e.g., hiring an “interpreter” for a tiny local restaurant).
2. What They Actually Ask and the “Traps”
During the interview, the inspector will fire off highly specific and detailed questions. These are not casual conversations; they are tests designed to expose “any contradictions with the documents (statements of reason, resumes) you have already submitted.”
Question Examples for Spouse Visas
The couple is usually called into separate rooms and asked the exact same questions to strictly check if their answers match.
- “What are the names of your partner’s relatives? When was the last time you met them?”
- “Which direction does your bedroom face? What size is your bed?”
- “What color is your partner’s toothbrush? What did you eat for dinner last night?”
Question Examples for Work Visas
They will verify your actual knowledge level and check if you have rehearsed a fabricated story with the employer.
- “Please explain your specific workflow from the moment you arrive at the office until you leave.”
- “How exactly will the knowledge you gained at university be applied to which tasks in this workplace?”
- “Name three major clients of your company.”
3. The “Worst Responses” You Must Absolutely Avoid
In the high-pressure environment of an interview room, the following behaviors are fatal mistakes that will lead to a judgment of “false declaration (lying).”
- Answering with “Guesses” when your memory is vague: Trying to smoothly cover up something you don’t know or forgot is the worst possible move. It creates a definitive contradiction later on: “The document says A, but you answered B in the interview.”
- Reacting emotionally to the inspector: Getting angry or refusing to answer questions that invade your privacy (like finances or relationship details) will not help your screening in the slightest. It will simply be interpreted as, “You are getting angry because you cannot provide a logical explanation.”
4. Logical Approaches to Survive the Interview
If you receive a summons, it is imperative to prepare thoroughly using the following steps.
Step 1: A Complete Review of Submitted Documents
Read every single page of the copies of the application forms, statements of reason, and questionnaires you submitted to Immigration. The inspector will always build their questions based on these documents. You must absolutely avoid a situation where you do not grasp the contents of your own submission.
Step 2: Have the Courage to Answer “I Don’t Know”
Human memory is not perfect. If asked, “Did you go to [Location] on [Specific Date]?”, and you are not certain, the most logical and honest response is: “I cannot know the exact date without checking my planner (or smartphone history),” or “My memory is vague, so I cannot give a definitive answer.” Commit to answering only with facts you are certain of.
Step 3: Bring Objective Evidence
If you anticipate that it will be difficult to convince them with words alone, bringing new, objective evidence (e.g., LINE call logs, additional photos of the workplace, business manuals) voluntarily and presenting it when necessary is a highly effective approach.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q. Can I bring a qualified professional or an interpreter to the interview?
A. In principle, the interview is conducted one-on-one between the inspector and the applicant (or separately for couples in spouse visas). Having a proxy, such as a lawyer, accompany you inside the interview room is generally not permitted unless there are special circumstances. However, if you are not confident in your Japanese, Immigration may provide an interpreter, or you may be allowed to bring one. It is mandatory to confirm this in advance with the department listed on your summons.
Q. When will I get the results after the interview?
A. You will not be given the result immediately on the spot. Because they must comprehensively cross-reference what they heard with your submitted documents, it typically takes anywhere from a few weeks to a month after the interview before the final result notification (postcard) is sent out.
6. Conclusion: A Summons is “One Step Away from a Red Card”
An interview summons during a visa screening is a clear signal from Immigration: “We are going to deny this application as it is, but we are giving you one last chance to explain yourself.”
Going in unarmed without any preparation is akin to securing your own denial. The moment you receive the summons, you must calmly analyze which parts of your submitted documents are being doubted and construct a consistent explanation grounded in facts. If you feel it is beyond your capacity to handle alone, your last line of defense is to share the entire background and your document copies with a qualified professional well-versed in Immigration procedures before the interview date, seeking their logical assessment.