2025-07-21

Naturalization is the process by which a foreign national acquires Japanese citizenship. In Japan, so-called “dual nationality” is not allowed, so naturalization is a procedure to acquire Japanese nationality by giving up one’s current nationality. In this issue, we will explain the basics of naturalization and points to note.

Procedures for naturalization

The procedure for naturalization goes as follows.

First, go to the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau that has jurisdiction over the address where the applicant lives, and confirm the necessary documents. Before visiting, an appointment by phone or other means is required. Some Legal Affairs Bureaus are booked up to one or two months in advance, so it is best to make an appointment as early as possible.

At the Legal Affairs Bureau, the applicant’s history of arrival in Japan, current status of residence, family structure, and criminal record will be checked. If it is determined that the applicant meets the requirements for naturalization, he/she will be informed of the documents required for application.

Once you have prepared the necessary documents, take the application form and required documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau and have them checked by a Legal Affairs Bureau official. If there are no problems, the application and documents will be accepted. A few months after the acceptance of the application, the Legal Affairs Bureau will ask the applicant questions about the documents, past and present situations, etc. The applicant will also be asked to provide information about his/her spouse’s family. If the applicant has a spouse or other family members, they will also be interviewed.

In parallel with the interview, the Legal Affairs Bureau may call the applicant’s company to confirm the applicant’s employment. In some cases, the Legal Affairs Bureau may also visit the applicant’s home.

If it is determined that the applicant meets the requirements for naturalization, the application is sent to the Ministry of Justice, and the Minister of Justice makes the final decision of approval or disapproval. In the case of approval, your name will be published in the Official Gazette and the Legal Affairs Bureau will contact you by phone. In the case of disapproval, a “notice of disapproval” will be sent to your home.

Documents required for naturalization

The following documents are required to apply for naturalization. Other documents may be required depending on the applicant.

　・Application form for naturalization (applicant’s photograph is required)

　・Documents describing the outline of 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 proving the applicant’s history of stay in Japan

Things to keep in mind when applying for naturalization

Many people are already familiar with the requirements to apply for and be approved for naturalization, as information is available on the Internet. Here, we would like to explain the “residence (domicile) requirement” in particular.

This requirement is that the applicant must have “continuously resided in Japan for at least five years” before the application. Since the term “continuously” means “continuously,” even if the applicant has had a domicile in Japan for more than 5 years, there is a possibility that the requirement will not be met if the applicant has frequently returned to his/her home country during that period.

Also, if the applicant has not worked for at least 3 years during the period of residence in Japan for more than 5 years, the possibility of being approved will be low. However, even if the applicant has lived in Japan for only four years, he/she can apply for naturalization if he/she has been married to a Japanese national for at least three years and has lived in Japan for at least one year.

Thus, depending on individual circumstances, the “residency requirement” may be relaxed, so we recommend that you consult with the person in charge at the Legal Affairs Bureau or an administrative scrivener familiar with naturalization applications.

Summary

Again, because naturalization is a system for abandoning one’s existing nationality and acquiring new Japanese nationality, the requirements are strict. However, the address requirement may be somewhat relaxed, so please consult with the Legal Affairs Bureau or an administrative scrivener.