Lori Meadows
Japan has strict laws regarding citizenship and nationality. Foreign nationals can acquire citizenship by naturalization after living in the country for at least five years and renouncing any previous nationalities. However, Japan does not officially allow dual citizenship, and individuals over the age of 20 or 22 must declare sole citizenship. There are exceptions to this rule, and some individuals may be able to obtain Japanese citizenship without giving up their original citizenship in certain circumstances. The process of obtaining Japanese citizenship can be time-consuming, and applicants must be able to demonstrate their residence in the country and meet other requirements such as being of upright conduct and able to secure a livelihood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ways to acquire Japanese nationality | Birth, notification, and naturalization |
| Acquisition by birth | Children born to at least one Japanese parent are generally automatic nationals at birth. Children born in Japan to stateless or unknown-status parents may become Japanese nationals after three years of residence. Adopted children of Japanese nationals have a reduced residence requirement of one year. |
| Acquisition by notification | Children born abroad with Japanese nationality and a foreign nationality will lose their Japanese nationality if their parent(s) do not indicate an intention to retain Japanese nationality within three months of their birth. Children with one Japanese parent who was unmarried at the time of birth but acknowledged as their natural child, or whose parents marry after birth, may acquire Japanese nationality through notification to the Minister of Justice. |
| Acquisition by naturalization | Foreign nationals may acquire citizenship by naturalization after living in the country for at least five years and renouncing any previous nationalities. There are exceptions to the five-year rule, such as for those who have resided in Japan for ten consecutive years or more, or those who are the child of a Japanese national and have resided in Japan for three consecutive years or more. |
| Dual nationality | Japan does not officially allow dual citizenship, but in practice, it may be maintained with states not recognized by Japan, such as North Korea or Taiwan. |
| Citizenship for international students | No specific information found, but international students can likely acquire citizenship through the standard naturalization process after residing in Japan for at least five years. |
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What You'll Learn
Naturalisation requirements for international students
International students seeking Japanese citizenship through naturalisation must meet several requirements. Firstly, they must establish residence in Japan for at least five consecutive years before initiating the formal application process. This extended period of residence allows applicants to demonstrate a strong connection to the country and a commitment to becoming a Japanese citizen.
During their residence in Japan, international students must maintain good conduct and demonstrate the ability to secure a livelihood through their own or their spouse's means. They must also ensure they are not involved in any political activities that aim to overthrow the Japanese government or constitution. These requirements reflect the Japanese government's expectation of lawful behaviour and self-sufficiency from prospective citizens.
In terms of nationality, Japan typically requires applicants to renounce their previous citizenship to avoid potential conflicts of interest. However, exceptions may be made in certain circumstances, such as when an individual can demonstrate exceptional reasons for retaining dual citizenship. Nevertheless, those who involuntarily hold a foreign nationality due to another country's laws must choose between their Japanese or foreign status before the age of 22 or within two years of acquiring the foreign nationality after the age of 20.
It is important to note that the naturalisation process in Japan can be time-consuming and may take a year or longer. However, the approval rate for citizenship applications is high, with approximately 90% of applicants being granted Japanese citizenship. Therefore, international students seeking Japanese citizenship should be prepared for a lengthy process but can take comfort in the high likelihood of a successful outcome.
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Dual citizenship in Japan
Japan does not allow dual citizenship, and individuals with dual nationality must choose one citizenship before they turn 22 years old. This is based on the Japanese Nationality Act (Law No. 147 of 1950), which defines the requirements for the acquisition and loss of Japanese nationality. Japanese nationality can be acquired in three ways: birth, notification, and naturalization.
If an individual fails to choose one nationality, they risk losing their Japanese citizenship. To choose Japanese nationality, a notification of loss of foreign nationality must be submitted, accompanied by a document proving the loss of the other nationality. This is submitted to the office of a city, ward, town, or village if residing in Japan, or to the Japanese embassy or consulate if living abroad.
Dual citizens travelling between Japan and the US, for example, should carry both valid passports at all times and present the respective passport when entering the respective country. While the US permits dual citizenship, the US government's ability to provide assistance to dual citizens may be limited in certain cases, as many foreign countries may not recognize the dual national's claim to US citizenship.
It is important to note that Japan cannot revoke the citizenship of another country, and the enforcement of this law may vary. While some individuals with dual citizenship in Japan have not been forced to choose one nationality, there is a risk of repercussions, such as the revocation of Japanese citizenship.
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The Japanese Nationality Act
Birth
If a child is born to at least one Japanese parent, they are generally automatically considered a Japanese national at birth, regardless of the place of birth. If the parents are unmarried but the Japanese father acknowledges the child while in the womb, the child will acquire Japanese nationality upon birth. If the parents marry after the child is born, the child may acquire Japanese nationality by notifying the Minister of Justice. If a child is born in Japan to parents who are stateless or have unknown nationality, they may become Japanese nationals after three years of residence. Adopted children of Japanese nationals have a reduced residence requirement of one year.
Notification
Notification refers to the process of notifying the Minister of Justice of the acquisition of Japanese nationality. If the requirements for acquisition are met and the notification is done properly, Japanese nationality is acquired at the time of notification.
Naturalization
Foreign nationals may acquire Japanese citizenship by naturalization after residing in the country for at least five years, renouncing any previous nationalities, and proving self-sufficiency through their occupation or financial assets. Applicants should be able to demonstrate elementary knowledge of the Japanese language, though this is not a legal requirement. The permission of the Minister of Justice is required for naturalization, and the general conditions include being of upright conduct, being over 20 years of age, and having domiciled in Japan for at least five years consecutively. Some of the naturalization conditions have been relaxed for foreign nationals with a special relationship with Japan (those born in Japan, with a Japanese spouse or child, or who once had Japanese nationality).
Loss of Japanese Nationality
Japanese nationals who voluntarily acquire a foreign nationality automatically lose their Japanese nationality. Those who involuntarily hold a foreign nationality are required to choose between their Japanese or foreign status before the age of 22 or within two years of obtaining the other nationality if acquired after age 20. Dual nationals who fail to make this choice within the prescribed time may be required to provide a declaration of nationality within one month, and further failure to do so results in the automatic loss of Japanese nationality.
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Residence requirements for citizenship
To become a Japanese citizen, foreign nationals must reside in the country for at least five consecutive years before they can begin the naturalisation process. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
If the applicant is the child of a Japanese national, they only need to have lived in Japan for three years. Similarly, if the applicant was born in Japan and has lived there for three consecutive years, or if their parent was born in Japan, they may also be eligible for citizenship. Applicants who have resided in Japan for ten consecutive years or more may also be eligible for citizenship.
In all cases, applicants must be at least 20 years old and be able to show that they are of legal age to act according to the laws of their home country. They must also demonstrate their range of dates of domicile or residence in Japan with copies of passports, visas, or other relevant official documents.
It is important to note that Japan does not typically allow dual citizenship. Those who acquire Japanese citizenship are usually required to renounce their previous nationality. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule, as Japan has been known to turn a "'blind eye'" to dual citizenship in certain circumstances.
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The application process for citizenship
To apply for Japanese citizenship, you must first meet the basic requirements. Foreign nationals may acquire citizenship by naturalisation after living in the country for at least five years and renouncing any previous nationalities. Alternatively, you may be eligible for citizenship if you can satisfy any one of the following conditions:
- You have maintained a domicile in Japan for three years or more and are the child of a Japanese national.
- You were born in Japan, have lived there for at least three consecutive years, and your father or mother was born in Japan.
- You have had a residence in Japan for ten consecutive years or more.
- You are at least 20 years old and can show that you are of legal age to act according to the laws of your home country.
The procedure to apply for citizenship in Japan can be time-consuming—up to a year or more. Before beginning the formal application process, you must first establish residence in Japan for at least five consecutive years. Once you have met this requirement, you can initiate the application process.
To apply for citizenship, you must submit a formal application to the Japanese government, providing evidence of your eligibility. This may include documents such as passports, visas, and other official records that demonstrate your residence in Japan and your legal status in your home country. You may also be required to provide a declaration of nationality if you previously held dual citizenship.
It is important to note that Japan does not officially allow dual citizenship for adults over the age of 20. However, there may be exceptions to this rule under special circumstances. If you are granted Japanese citizenship, you will be asked to show proof of your former citizenship renunciation or fill out a citizenship selection form at your municipal office.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can get citizenship in Japan, but they must give up their existing citizenship. To apply for citizenship, an international student must have resided in Japan for at least five years.
Yes, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances, you may be able to obtain Japanese citizenship without giving up your original citizenship. Additionally, Japan turns a blind eye to dual citizenship, so while it is not officially allowed, it is possible to hold both Japanese citizenship and citizenship of another country.
Yes, there are some alternative methods to obtain citizenship. For example, if you can show that one or both of your parents were Japanese, or that you were born in Japan, you may be able to gain citizenship without meeting the five-year residence requirement.
