H Visa Getting a Japanese Work Visa with Expunged Charges

[dafonypyna]

I want to get a Japanese work visa. I had a misdemeanor drug possession charge that was dropped and expunged 8 years ago (I was 18 at the time). I also had an assault charge from when I was 17 years old that was also expunged.

My questions are:
Will either of these charges prevent me from being able to obtain a Japanese work visa?
Will immigration officials be able to see either of these charges?
On the application form, where it asks if I have a criminal record, should I say yes or no?

Thanks a lot!

 

[army judge]

If, I repeat, if the charges were expunged; you have no convictions.

That doesn't mean the information attendant to the arrest and prior conviction can't be seen by law enforcement.

If these were petty, nothing charges, the Japanese immigration authorities might not concern themselves with them.

You do know that you'll also need to provide a letter from your local police with your visa application, right?

Who knows?

Roll the dice.

The worst that will happen us you won't get the visa!