Can I continue to stay in Japan after my passport has already expired?
My understanding is that, technically, you are required to have a valid passport at all times (not counting the wait time after applying for renewal) if you are here on a visa, and not a permanent resident. Im sure that you could get away with putting off getting it renewed for awhile staying under the radar, but you would need a current passport when it comes time to renew your visa, your residence card, etc. Then, there is the question of whether its wise to go for long without a passport while living outside your passport country - unless you can say without any doubt that you would never be needing to fly back for a sudden family emergency, a death in the family, etc.