scholarship and visa status

hi there! i hope there's somebody out there who can help me with my current dilemma. i am a foreign student here supported by the japanese government scholarship. my japanese boyfriend and i are planning to get married by next year. however, we are quite worried that the marriage would forfeit me of my scholarship as my visa status here in japan as a 'college student' can change into a 'spouse of a japanese national'. hence, i'd like to ask if having our marriage registered in the local ward office would require me to change my visa status. will it be alright too if i will not declare my new civil status when i extend my college student visa? i really would like to retain my college student visa until i finish my studies in 2012. thanks a lot!

hence, i'd like to ask if having our marriage registered in the local ward office would require me to change my visa status.

No, you don't have to change your status! There is absolutely no requirement for spouses of Japanese nationals to stay in Japan on a spouse visa. They can stay on student visas or working visas, if they prefer so. There is no need to cover up your marriage in front of the authorities!

thanks uji! i was only worried because one of the requirements to stay on the scholarship is not to change the 'college student' status to any other types.
anyway, i've heard about the new immigration law that is about to be passed. will registering the marriage/changing visa status be the same under the new law? thanks!

will registering the marriage/changing visa status be the same under the new law?

Registering marriage and changing visa status will remain unchanged.