2025-09-20

Naturalization application is the procedure for foreign nationals to acquire Japanese nationality. If the application is approved, notification from the Legal Affairs Bureau arrives approximately one year after application. Additionally, applicants themselves can track (check) the status.

What is a Naturalization Application?

A naturalization application is the procedure for foreign nationals holding a residence status to acquire Japanese nationality. The application form and required documents are submitted to the Legal Affairs Bureau (Immigration Services Agency) for review.

Note that Japan does not recognize dual nationality. Therefore, upon acquiring Japanese nationality through naturalization, the applicant will lose their previous foreign nationality.

Naturalization Application Process

The naturalization application process proceeds as follows:

First, visit the Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant’s residence to confirm the required application documents. An appointment is necessary for this visit. The Legal Affairs Bureau will assess the applicant’s circumstances (reason for coming to Japan, residence status, family composition, criminal history, etc.). If the applicant meets the naturalization requirements, the necessary documents will be specified.

Next, the applicant must gather the specified documents. Obtaining documents from the applicant’s home country often takes the most time. These are typically obtained from the Japanese embassy or consulate, but in some cases, the applicant may need to return to their home country to obtain them.

Then, bring the application form and required documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau for review by the responsible officer. If there are no issues, the application will be accepted. However, if there are deficiencies or missing items, the applicant will need to take the application back and address the issues.

Following the screening and interview, if the applicant is deemed to meet the naturalization requirements, the documents are forwarded from the Legal Affairs Bureau to the Ministry of Justice. Ultimately, the Minister of Justice makes the final decision to grant or deny permission. If permission is granted, the Legal Affairs Bureau official will contact the applicant by phone. The applicant then visits the Legal Affairs Bureau to receive the notification and permission documents.

Take these documents to your municipal office and submit the “Naturalization Notification Form.”
After submitting the Naturalization Notification Form, a new family register will be compiled. Note that the name and address of the naturalization approval will be published in the Official Gazette.

Search Methods

Here, we explain how to search for naturalization approvals published in the Official Gazette.

There are three search methods: online, viewing at a library, or purchasing at a sales outlet. Here, we introduce the most convenient method: searching online. The Official Gazette is published online, and you can view the last 90 days’ worth for free.

The steps to check are: Access the “Online Official Gazette (https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/)”, then click on the section labeled “Main Edition” for the date you wish to view. Click on “Notice of Naturalization Permits Granted to Japan” under the ‘Notices’ section. Then, check the “Information Page” for the naturalization permit recipients in the Official Gazette. The “Information Page” lists the details (address and name) of the individuals granted naturalization on that date.

Since it takes about one year from application to approval, check entries from 11 months or more after your naturalization application. Pages displayed online can be printed or converted to PDF. The “Print” and “Save” buttons are located at the top right of the page.

Summary

Approval of naturalization applications is published in the Official Gazette. While the Official Gazette is posted at the entrance of city/ward/town/village offices, checking the “Online Official Gazette” is easier and more convenient.