You already hold the spouse status and it is running out

You are living in Japan on a spouse visa, the residence card expires soon, and the marriage continues.

The lightest of the four procedures. The Agency's own document list for a renewal does not call for the questionnaire, the foreign marriage certificate, or evidence of your interaction as a couple — those belong to the first application. What it does want is the family register, the residence certificate, tax certificates and the guarantee letter.

Renewals are also where a longer period of stay tends to be granted, once the marriage has a track record in Japan.

The order things happen in

1. Diary the window — from about three months before expiry
   If you hold a period of six months or more. Filing late is far harder to repair than filing early.
2. Refresh the certificates
   Japanese-issued certificates are expected to be within three months of issue. Clear any unpaid residence tax before requesting the 納税証明書 (tax payment certificate).
3. Attend and file
   6,000 yen on permission, 5,500 yen online. Standard processing period two weeks to one month.

Starts on the renewal route, so you are only asked the questions that apply to this situation.