Worth it to submit a PR application a year early when the process takes so long?

Question is in the title.

Yes I know there's speaking to a lawyer for a more firm answer but I am more interested in anecdotes and personal stories.

I've heard a few brief mentionings from people about submitting an application a bit early. For example during the 9th year of stay in Japan and that because the application takes so long by the time it round to being approved or not sufficient time has passed. Now sure how practical this is so I thought I'd ask.