2025-09-06

Foreign nationals residing in Japan can acquire Japanese nationality by meeting certain requirements. However, one of these requirements is that the applicant must have reached adulthood. Does this mean minors cannot acquire Japanese nationality?

What is a Naturalization Application?

A naturalization application is when a foreign national renounces their current nationality to acquire Japanese nationality.

Some countries permit “dual nationality.” However, Japan does not recognize dual nationality. Therefore, upon acquiring Japanese nationality, the foreign nationality must be renounced, leaving the individual with only one nationality.

Requirements for Naturalization Application

There are six requirements for a naturalization application:

First, the applicant must have resided continuously in Japan (maintained a residence) up to the time of application. However, even if residing in Japan, this requirement may not be met if the applicant stayed abroad for an extended period during the five years preceding the application.

Second, the applicant must have reached the age of majority under Japanese law, meaning they must be 18 years old or older. They must also have reached the age of majority under the laws of their current country of nationality.

Third, the applicant must have no issues with their conduct, such as tax delinquency, criminal convictions, or serious traffic violations.

Fourth, the applicant must be able to sustain their livelihood in Japan based on their own assets and skills, or those of their spouse or other relatives sharing the same household.

Fifth, the applicant must either currently hold no nationality, or must consent to losing their current nationality upon acquiring Japanese nationality.

Sixth, the applicant must never have plotted or advocated the violent overthrow of the Constitution of Japan or the government established under it, nor formed or joined a political party or other organization with that purpose.

How can minors apply for naturalization?

As explained in the second requirement above, applicants must be adults. However, minors may apply for naturalization only in the following three cases:

First, when the minor applies for naturalization simultaneously with both parents or one parent. If the applicant is under 15 years old, the parent can apply as the legal representative. If the applicant is 15 years old or older but under 18, the applicant themselves must handle the preparation of required documents and attend interviews.

Second, when one of the applicant’s parents holds Japanese nationality. In this case, other requirements (such as those concerning residence and livelihood) are relaxed.

The third case is when the applicant is an adopted child of a Japanese national. However, this requires the condition that the applicant has resided continuously in Japan for at least one year.

Summary

As a general rule, an individual cannot apply for naturalization unless they have reached the age of majority (18 years old) under Japanese law and have also reached the age of majority under the laws of their current country of nationality. However, exceptions exist, such as when applying for naturalization simultaneously with a foreign national parent.