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Advantages of acquiring Japanese citizenship through naturalization! Conditions, procedures, and permanent residency.

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While living in Japan, many foreigners may feel that they want to continue living in this country.

You may be interested in obtaining Japanese citizenship. What is the process and what conditions do I need to meet? What are the advantages of becoming Japanese, and what do you lose by becoming 逆に?

In this article, we will explain in detail and in an easy-to-understand manner questions that all foreigners may have about acquiring Japanese citizenship. If you are seriously considering naturalization to Japan, please refer to this page.

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How to obtain Japanese citizenship?

According to a survey by the Immigration and Residency Management Agency at the end of 2023, there are currently approximately 3.41 million foreigners living in Japan. This figure includes approximately 900,000 permanent residents, 280,000 special permanent residents, and 2.94 million mid- to long-term residents.

You may be one of these foreign nationals with a status of residence. So, what are your options for acquiring Japanese citizenship?

According to the Ministry of Justice's Nationality Q&A, there are three main ways for foreigners to acquire Japanese nationality

  1. Birth in Japan
  2. Notify that you are a relative of a Japanese national
  3. Naturalization.

See also:Nationality Q&A｜Ministry of Justice

Except for cases 1 and 2, the realistic option for most foreigners is "naturalization. Naturalization is a system whereby a foreigner voluntarily wishes to acquire Japanese nationality, and the Japanese government grants permission and grants citizenship.

Let us now look at the specific conditions and procedures for naturalization.

What are the conditions for naturalization and the application procedure?

The following are the basic requirements for naturalization

  • Must continuously reside in Japan for at least 5 years.
  • Be at least 18 years of age and an adult according to the laws of his/her home country
  • Good conduct
  • Possess assets or skills to live independently.
  • (2) That on or after the date of enforcement of the Constitution of Japan, the applicant has never attempted or advocated the destruction of the Constitution of Japan or the government established under the Constitution of Japan by violence.
  • In the case of a spouse of a Japanese citizen or a special adopted child of a Japanese citizen, or an adopted child of a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident, the applicant must have continuously resided in Japan for at least three years from the time when he/she became a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident.

Noteworthy is the requirement that the applicant "must continue to reside in Japan for at least five years. Since the number of years does not count for a college student visa, etc., the applicant is required to stay in Japan with a certain status of residence, such as a "working visa" or "spouse of Japanese national visa".

Also, it is important to note the conditions related to the age of majority. Even if you become an adult at 18 under Japanese law, if the age of majority is set at 21 or 22 in your country of origin, you will not be able to apply for naturalization until you reach that age.

In addition, the applicant must have daily conversational level of Japanese language proficiency.

Some conditions may be relaxed for foreign nationals who are Korean residents in Japan, special permanent residents from Taiwan, or spouses of Japanese nationals, so please consult with the regional immigration office if applicable.

When applying for naturalization, the applicant submits the necessary documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau or its branch offices. The examination process usually takes from six months to one year, and if permission is granted after an interview and other procedures, you can obtain your long-desired Japanese citizenship.

By the way, how much does it cost to apply for naturalization? The total cost is expected to be quite high, including the cost of obtaining the necessary documents, the application fee, and the fee for the administrative scrivener to act on your behalf. Please refer to the following article if you would like to check the costs in advance.
▶︎ The cost of applying for naturalization in Japan! Breakdown of fees, agency fees to administrative scriveners, etc.

Merits and demerits of acquiring Japanese citizenship through naturalization

Once you acquire Japanese citizenship, you are free from the restrictions of being a foreigner and can live in this country, enjoying the same rights as Japanese citizens.

On the other hand, there are disadvantages associated with losing the citizenship of one's home country, so it is necessary to make a careful decision after carefully understanding the advantages and disadvantages of naturalization.

Let's take a closer look at the advantages you can gain from naturalization and the disadvantages you should be prepared for.

Advantages of Acquisition

Naturalization in Japan offers the following advantages

  • Status of residence becomes indefinite and visa renewal is no longer required
  • Free entry and exit to and from Japan
  • Receive the same social security and public services as Japanese nationals
  • More options for finding a job or changing careers
  • Smoother screening process for mortgages and other loans
  • The right to vote, to be elected, and to participate in the electoral process.
  • Paving the way for public service

In addition, the ability to travel freely with a Japanese passport to countries where a visa is required with a passport from one's home country would be a major attraction.

Disadvantages of acquisition

On the other hand, there are disadvantages to acquiring Japanese citizenship.

  • You will lose your home country's citizenship.
  • A visa may be required to enter the home country
  • In some cases, lose the right to own property in their home country

For example, if a person loses his/her Chinese nationality as a result of acquiring Japanese citizenship, he/she will need a visa to enter China and will no longer be able to own real estate in China.

Thus, the choice of nationality is a delicate issue and should be carefully considered. If you wish to retain the nationality of your home country and obtain a stable position in Japan, you may choose to seek permanent residence instead of naturalization.

【 Alternatives to Living in Japan】 Conditions for obtaining permanent residence and application procedures

Once you obtain a permanent resident status, you will have the status of "Permanent Resident" and can stay in Japan indefinitely. However, since nationality does not change, there are no disadvantages like naturalization.

Foreign nationals who wish to reside in Japan permanently apply for a permanent residence permit at the regional immigration office in accordance with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. The two main application requirements are as follows

  1. Good conduct
  2. Have sufficient assets or skills to earn an independent living

Those who have been in Japan for more than 10 years are required to "have a reason equivalent to a permanent residence permit" in addition to the above.

The advantages of being granted permanent residence are as follows

  • The period of stay is indefinite, eliminating the need to renew visas.
  • No more restrictions on working or changing jobs
  • Easier to get approved for bank loans and other loans.

On the other hand, you will not be entitled to suffrage and you will continue to use your passport from your home country. You can choose naturalization or permanent residence according to your life plan.

To learn more about obtaining permanent residence, please also refer to the following articles.
▶︎ Japanese Permanent Residency and Naturalization Process! From difficulty and countermeasures to success points

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summary

We have explained the acquisition of Japanese nationality by foreigners, focusing on the conditions, procedures, and advantages and disadvantages of naturalization.

Japan is known as one of the industrialized countries with the highest hurdles for naturalization. On the other hand, once one acquires Japanese citizenship, one is free from the inconveniences of being a foreigner in Japanese society and can live a life no different from that of a Japanese person.

Choosing your nationality is a major crossroads in your life. We recommend that you carefully assess your feelings toward your home country and your future in Japan, and take the path that best suits you.

Reference:Nationality Q&A｜Ministry of Justice

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