What visa should I first get before naturalization?

Is there a status or visa you should have that gives you a better chance of being naturalized? Is it better to be on a "spousal visa" or be a "permanent resident" to increase your chances of being naturalized?

The answer is that it doesn't matter. The most important thing is that your status in Japan is and always has been proper: You've never overstayed your status; you've never forgotten to renew your status (even by one day); you've never worked on a status that doesn't permit work (including a temporary landing permit); you've never done work outside of your status' area (for example, engineering work on a humanities status).

Having permanent residency status, unlike many other countries, is not a prerequisite for naturalization.

Now, there are some status that may hint that you qualify for 簡易帰化 {kan'i kika} (simplified naturalization). For example:

• 家族滞在 {kazoku taizai} (living with family)
• 特別永住者 {tokubetsu eijūsha} (special permanent resident)
• 日本人の配偶者等 {nihonjin no haigūsha nado} (spouse etc of a Japanese national)
• 定住者 {teijūsha} (long term resident)

If you have any of these statuses you probably have them because of a direct family tie or connection to Japan. Depending on the depth of that tie (measured in years), the residency requirement may be changed from five (5) down to three (3) or even one (1) year. Additionally, 特別永住者 {tokubetsu eijūsha} (special permanent resident) are exempt from other requirements.