2025-08-29

Foreign nationals residing in Japan who wish to acquire Japanese nationality must file a “naturalization application.” This requires preparing numerous documents. We will explain points requiring particular attention for Argentine nationals.

What is Naturalization?

Naturalization is the process by which a foreign national acquires Japanese nationality. Since Japan enforces the principle of “one nationality,” once a naturalization application is approved and Japanese nationality is granted, the applicant loses their previous foreign nationality.

Naturalization Application Process

The naturalization application process proceeds as follows:

First, the applicant must visit the Legal Affairs Bureau or Regional Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over their current address to confirm the required documents. You must make an appointment by phone or other means before visiting. Some Legal Affairs Bureaus may have appointments booked months in advance, so it’s advisable to schedule early.

At the Legal Affairs Bureau, an officer will verify the applicant’s reason for coming to Japan, their current residence status, family composition, and criminal history. If the applicant is determined to meet the requirements for naturalization, they will be informed of the necessary documents.

Once the applicant has gathered all required documents, they must bring the application form and supporting documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau. The bureau staff will review the application and documents. If no issues are found, the application will be accepted. Approximately two to three months after acceptance, the applicant must visit the Legal Affairs Bureau for an interview. During this interview, the staff will ask questions regarding the information provided in the documents, as well as the applicant’s past and current circumstances. If the applicant has family members, such as a spouse, they may also be interviewed.

Concurrently with this interview, the Legal Affairs Bureau may call the applicant’s company or school to verify their employment or enrollment status. In some cases, they may also conduct an actual visit to the applicant’s residence.

If it is determined that the applicant meets the naturalization requirements, the application and documents are forwarded to the Ministry of Justice. Ultimately, the Minister of Justice makes the final decision to grant or deny permission. If permission is granted, the applicant’s name is published in the Official Gazette, and the Legal Affairs Bureau will notify them. If permission is denied, a “Notice of Denial” will be sent to the applicant’s residence.

Important Notes for Argentine Nationals

Earlier in the “Naturalization Application Process,” we mentioned “gathering the necessary documents.” While “gathering” sounds straightforward, it is actually the most challenging task for applicants in the naturalization process.

Since applicants are residing in Japan at the time of application, if certificates from their home country are required, they must be specially requested from there. Typically, this involves requesting the documents by mail and having them sent from the home country, which is time-consuming and requires effort.

Therefore, for Argentine nationals, an efficient method is to visit the “Argentine Embassy in Japan” located at 2-14-14 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Inform them you wish to apply for naturalization and request all necessary documents collectively.

Note that there is no Argentine Consulate in Japan. Therefore, Argentine nationals residing in Japan must obtain the required documents exclusively through the Argentine Embassy in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Those living far away are advised to call ahead before visiting.

Summary

For U.S. or Chinese nationals applying for naturalization, collecting required documents is relatively easy as there are consulates in major Japanese cities. However, Argentine nationals must be aware that there is no consulate; the embassy is only in Tokyo.