In everyday conversation, "visa" covers everything. Legally, Japan separates the two:
A visa is issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad. It's permission to travel to Japan and request entry — nothing more. It's checked once, at the border.
A status of residence is granted by Japanese Immigration when you actually enter the country (or when you change status while already here). It's what determines how long you can stay and what activities — work, study, none at all — you're permitted to do. Every category discussed elsewhere on this site (Engineer/Specialist, Student, Spouse, and so on) is technically a status of residence, even though people casually call them all "visas."
One status of residence worth calling out separately is Long-Term Resident (定住者). It's a catch-all category for people with a recognized long-term connection to Japan that doesn't fit neatly into the work, study, or immediate-family categories — for example, certain descendants of Japanese emigrants, or people in specific humanitarian circumstances. Like the Spouse of Japanese National status, it carries no work restrictions, but eligibility is determined case by case rather than through a fixed checklist, so it's worth confirming your specific situation with an immigration lawyer or the ISA rather than assuming you qualify.
Once you're in Japan, switching between statuses is covered under Changing Status of Residence. Back to Visa Types.