When I planned to move to Tokyo for a year, I figured I would need permission from the Japanese government to reside in that country. Sure I could come and go on the flexible 90 day tourist visas, like most of the footloose reporters and business people I know. But what if I was caught and questioned by the police after a street art performance? What if I am coming and going from Korea to renew my visa, and they detain me at the border or ask me to return to Korea? That would make renting an apartment in Tokyo an expensive waste.
