Short-term visitors may look for a job and even live in an apartment in Japan although these things are illegal in some countries. It might sound as if Japan is lenient to foreigners. Also, our immigration inspectors do not have a pistol around their waist at borders.
However, screening of visa applications actually is strict. In fact, hardly any visa is issued in a few days.
If, for example, you are a permanent resident, and your spouse still lives in your own country, you will wish to live with your spouse in Japan. Your spouse needs to get a certificate of eligibility to come to Japan. However, what if you currently receive food stamps? If you had been in that kind of financial situation before you became a permanent resident, the Immigration Bureau would have denied your application, but unfortunately some people become food stamp recipients after becoming a permanent resident. You will not be deported because you are a food stamp recipient, but your wife’s application for a certificate of eligibility is most likely to be denied.
Some permanent residents have said to me before that the Immigration Bureau should be lenient to them because they have already become permanent residents, but this assumption is wrong.