A. Yes, that's fine. However, it is only for maximum 2 months.

By the Immigration Control Law enacted in 2010, while applying for renewal or extension application, even if the visa period expires, it will be possible to stay as it is for maximum two months from the expiration date became.

It will not be an illegal stay until the earliest of the day on which the application is disposed or two months from the expiration of the visa period.

The special period is applied when you apply for extension or change before the visa expiration date and no permission denial of the application is made till the visa period.
Until then, you can stay in Japan with your current status of residence. Also, a re-entry permission will be granted only once during the special period.

However, you must take care when you are engaged in activities outside the status of qualification, in order to do these activities, part time job etc., during the special period, you must get a permission once again.

Immigration Office is planned to judge the application within 30 days after expiration of visa, but if you do not get nothing, it is better to contact to the Immigration Office. 

By the way, if the special period of 2 months passes, it will be illegal stay.

And if the result of "denial" comes out during the special period, you must go to the Immigration office with a letter of notice and you will attach a "short-term" visa for preparing for departure from Japan. There visa seems to be about one month in most cases. If you do not agree to not change to this short-term visa, you will be illegal and become deportation compulsory procedure, so you need to be careful.

So, in this case, first you must change to 'Specific Activities' for preparing for departure, and listen to the Immigration about reasons for denial, and if there is a possibility, you can re-apply again during the 30 days.

The special period is like a present for foreigners, but an application for a visa extension can be made from three months before the visa expiration, and an application for visa change should be applied as soon as the change occurs. It is important to apply early and early.

And, by all means, consulting to an immigration lawyer is the quickest way to solve.