Renew residence card by proxy

Me and my wife are permanent resident of Japan, we are currently outside of Japan and our residence card has expired. Re-entry permit is still valid. I am planning to be in Japan and would get my residence card renewed. My question is can I get my wife�fs and minor kids card extended by proxy without they being present at the immigration office?

Advice from my lawyer is that you are required to be in Japan at the time of application.

their logic is simple.
the resident status is not the "right". it is the "permission".
you need to maintain it, if you want to keep "living" in Japan.
and the renewal is very easy, when you are "living" in Japan.
in other words, they ask you why you are not living in Japan, although you have the permission. if you are currently living outside of Japan, you don't need it right now, don't you ? (permanent resident status is "resident status" and not "visiting status".)
their legal operation is rather very kind. you don't need to reside in Japan. you only need to show up to their office in Japan for renewal.