I have the right to permanent residency (by marriage, by work, by children, by investment), but that's not the same as being a citizen. Which is its own thing t

I have the right to permanent residency (by marriage, by work, by children, by investment), but that's not the same as being a citizen. Which is its own thing to go through (I know people who have - but it's tough). By law (although behaviors are changing in contrary ways to the law), I am not even allowed to sign a contract. Say - movie rental. Without a sponsor - I can not (legally) rent a movie. Now, I know, practically, I can. But not legally (with the full power of the courts behind the video shop if I fail to return a VHS tape). What does that mean? It means that I can not and should not expect that the Japanese retirement system that I have spent decades paying into would necessarily consider it their obligation to fund my retirement. Is this changing? Yes, it is. Slowly. Do I want to wait for it? No - I do not. I would rather leave and become independently safe (monied) and return to Japan (because I love it) when my own ability to fund myself is in my own hands.