Learn how to Obtain Japanese Citizenship

Those who think that only people of Japanese descent can naturalize as Japanese are mistaken. Anyone can change their nationality and obtain Japanese citizenship, as long as they meet various requirements. The thousands of foreigners in Japan hold a permanent visa and often think it is impossible to obtain Japanese nationality; some have reasons to prefer the visa over nationality.

What is the difference between a visa and citizenship?

When a person holds a permanent visa, they have permission to stay in Japan and most of the rights of citizenship. A naturalized citizen, however, has all the rights that Japanese people have and cannot be expelled from the country, because they belong to and are a citizen of that country. Another advantage and benefit of being a Japanese citizen is that you can have a Japanese Passport (4th most powerful) that allows entry into 147 countries without a visa, including the USA.

Only descendants or children of Japanese can obtain nationality easily before turning 3 months old. Even if a person marries a Japanese or a child of Brazilians is born in Japan, they do not receive nationality but rather a permanent visa. Of course, any of these people can pursue nationality if they meet the requirements we will see below.

The majority of Brazilians living in Japan prefer not to attempt to obtain Japanese citizenship because in addition to being a long process, Japan allows only 1 nationality; if you choose Japanese nationality, you cease to be Brazilian.

Requirements for naturalization in Japan

Below we will see the minimum requirements to obtain Japanese nationality or citizenship:

• Be over 20 years old;
• Have lived in Japan for more than 5 years (3 if married to a Japanese);
• Not be outside Japan for more than 80% (72 days) during a year;
• Present good mental health and have no criminal record;
• Prove the ability to support oneself or support the family;
• Show good conduct during the stay in Japan;
• Be up to date with taxes;
• Agree to renounce the nationality you currently hold;
• Have proficiency in the Japanese language;

If you meet these requirements and wish to obtain Japanese citizenship, you need to contact the Homukyoku (Legal Affairs Bureau) of the Ministry of Justice closest to your home. Remember that bad conduct or criminal history is one of the reasons Japan may reject your citizenship application.

Documents required to apply for Japanese Citizenship

In addition to the basic requirements, there is a huge list of documents you need to present when applying for Japanese citizenship:

• Application form for naturalization;
• Form with first-degree relatives’ information;
• Signed oath;
• Form with information on trips abroad;
• Personal curriculum form (detailed and in order);
• Form with a description of monthly living expenses and bank accounts;
• Form with payroll details, filled out and signed by the company;
• Form declaring children, filled out and signed by the applicant’s father;
• Handwritten letter describing the reason for the desire for naturalization;
• University graduation certificate (if applicable);
• Certificate of Japanese driver’s license registration;
• Certificate of personal data from the date you entered Japan and your spouse;
• Certificate of tax payments (gensen and nozei shomeisho) for you and your spouse;
• Certificate of residence;
• Certificate of bank account;
• Birth certificate of the applicant and all siblings;
• Marriage certificate for you and your parents;
• Death certificate of parents if deceased;
• Nationality certificate;
• Map of the place of residence and work;
• Guarantor;

These are the necessary documents, but we recommend checking everything before starting the process. Each case is unique, so some procedures may differ from those mentioned in the article.

During the process of obtaining Japanese nationality, you will have an interview and they may visit your home to verify everything is in order. The process takes from 8 months to over a year. Japan accepts most applications (99%); once approved, you will be invited to attend a lecture and submit your document. And do you think it is worth having Japanese citizenship? I would like to see your opinion and experience in the comments.