2025-07-06

Applying for naturalization is the process of losing your existing foreign nationality and acquiring new Japanese citizenship. In the case of other “status of residence” applications, the decision to grant or deny the application is made after reviewing the submitted documents. In the case of an application for naturalization, however, an interview with the applicant, a visit to the applicant’s home or workplace, and a telephone survey are conducted.

What is an application for naturalization?

An application for naturalization is an application to the Legal Affairs Bureau (Immigration Bureau) by a foreign national living in Japan who wishes to acquire Japanese nationality. Since this is the process of losing one’s foreign nationality and acquiring Japanese nationality (becoming a Japanese citizen), there are several requirements.

In addition, there is a large number of documents that must be submitted, and the examination period takes about one year. During the examination period, there are of course verification of the submitted documents, interviews with the applicant himself/herself, and visits and phone calls to the applicant’s home and place of work.

Home visit and telephone survey

After the application for naturalization is filed, an interview will be conducted between the applicant and the person in charge at the Legal Affairs Bureau. The interview is conducted between the applicant and a representative of the Legal Affairs Bureau, who will mainly ask questions about the documents submitted at the time of application.

At the same time, a home and telephone survey of the applicant will be conducted. This investigation is conducted by a representative of the Legal Affairs Bureau, either by visiting the applicant’s home in person or by making phone calls. They may also visit residences in the applicant’s neighborhood and talk to the applicant about him or her and his or her family.

The purpose of these investigations is to confirm that the information submitted by the applicant matches the actual family situation. Therefore, if the person listed as a roommate does not actually live there, or if there are ongoing problems with neighbors, or if the applicant’s illegal lifestyle or disruptive behavior is unnoticeable, this will result in a negative evaluation for the applicant himself/herself.

In principle, there is no home or telephone investigation when a “Special Permanent Resident (Korean or Korean resident in Japan)” applies for naturalization. This is because most “Special Permanent Residents” are currently based in Japan and lead a life similar to that of Japanese nationals. In many cases, they do not tell their neighbors that they are foreign residents (Korean or Korean residents in Japan) because they do not want their status to come to light in an investigation.

However, even if you are a “special permanent resident,” a home or telephone investigation may be conducted if there are any unclear points or points you wish to confirm in the documents you have submitted.

Workplace Visits and Telephone Surveys

At the same time as the home and telephone surveys described above, a Legal Affairs Bureau representative may also visit or call the applicant’s workplace to conduct a survey. Interviews may also be conducted with the responsible person or supervisor at the workplace.

The purpose of these investigations, like the home and telephone investigations described earlier, is to confirm the information contained in the submitted documents. In particular, it will be checked whether the applicant’s current “status of residence” matches the nature of the work he/she is actually engaged in.

Since “Special Permanent Residents” have no employment restrictions, as with the home and telephone surveys, in principle there is no workplace or telephone survey as described above. However, even if you are a “Special Permanent Resident,” a workplace investigation or a telephone investigation may be conducted if there are any unclear points or points you wish to confirm in the documents you have submitted.

Summary

The naturalization application process involves an interview, home and workplace visits, and a telephone survey. The investigation at home is to confirm that the submitted documents are correct. The investigation to the job division is mainly to check if the “status of residence” you currently have matches the actual work you are doing.