2025-05-19

Foreign nationals residing in Japan may acquire Japanese citizenship if they meet certain requirements. To do so, they must apply for naturalization, and after permission is granted, they must go through the process of acquiring Japanese nationality. Here is a detailed explanation of the process of changing nationality.

What is a change of nationality?

If certain requirements are met, a foreigner residing in Japan can change his/her nationality. This is called “naturalization.

If an application for naturalization is filed and approved upon examination, the applicant can acquire Japanese nationality. However, since Japan does not allow so-called “dual nationality,” a person who acquires Japanese nationality loses his or her existing foreign nationality.

Where do I apply for naturalization?

When applying for naturalization, the following documents and others are required. However, please note that the required documents may differ depending on the individual applicant.

・Application form for naturalization (a photograph of the applicant is also required)

・Documents outlining the applicant’s relatives

・Statement of reasons for naturalization

・Resume

・Documents outlining the applicant’s livelihood

・Documents describing the outline of the applicant’s business

・Copy of certificate of residence

・Documents proving nationality

・Documents proving kinship

・Documents proving tax payment

・Documents proving income

・Documents certifying the applicant’s history of stay in Japan

The above documents are to be submitted to the Legal Affairs Bureau or the Legal Affairs Branch Office, but the applicant is not free to choose where to submit them. The applicant is not free to choose where to submit the application. The application must be submitted to the Legal Affairs Bureau or Legal Affairs Branch Office that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. For example, a foreigner residing in Machida City, Tokyo, who wishes to become a naturalized citizen must apply to the Hachioji Branch of the Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau.

Since the documents required for naturalization application vary from person to person, it is necessary to visit the office of the Legal Affairs Bureau or Legal Affairs Branch Office to confirm the required documents. In this case, too, it is advisable to make an appointment by phone in advance.

After the person in charge tells you the required documents, you should obtain or prepare them as soon as possible. In particular, it is advisable to act as soon as possible to obtain certificates of your home country, since it is a complicated and time-consuming procedure to obtain them.

Where do I go to change my nationality?

If your application for naturalization is approved, your name and address will be published in the Official Gazette. One or two weeks after the publication in the Official Gazette, the Legal Affairs Bureau or Legal Affairs Branch Office will send a “notice” to the applicant indicating that the application has been approved. The applicant will then go to the Legal Affairs Bureau or Legal Affairs Branch Office with the “notice” and receive the “identification card of the naturalized citizen”.

Then, within one month from the date of notification, go to the municipal office of the city, ward, town or village where you live, or to the municipal office of your permanent domicile as specified when applying for naturalization, and submit your “naturalization certificate” and “notification of naturalization” at the counter. This procedure completes the acquisition of Japanese nationality.

Conclusion

An application for naturalization must be filed at the Legal Affairs Bureau or Legal Affairs Branch Office that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. Once permission is granted, the procedure for acquiring Japanese citizenship must be completed at the municipal office of the city, ward, town or village where the applicant’s domicile is located, or at the municipal office of the city, ward, town or village where the applicant’s legal domicile is located.