2025-09-14

In Japan, you cannot hold two or more nationalities. Therefore, if a Japanese national acquires or chooses a foreign nationality, they must renounce their Japanese nationality. After renouncing it, can they reacquire Japanese nationality?

Japan’s Nationality Rules

In Japan, a child born within Japan acquires Japanese nationality if either parent holds Japanese nationality. Furthermore, a child born overseas to a parent holding Japanese nationality can also acquire Japanese nationality.

Therefore, Japan’s rule is that regardless of the country of birth, a child born to a parent holding Japanese nationality acquires Japanese nationality. This is generally referred to as the “jus sanguinis” principle.

Renouncing Japanese Nationality

For various reasons, a Japanese national may acquire foreign nationality. The requirements and procedures for acquisition follow the laws of the country granting the new nationality.

Note that Japan does not permit holding multiple nationalities, known as “dual nationality.” Therefore, when a Japanese national acquires foreign nationality, they must generally renounce their Japanese nationality.

Can It Be Reacquired?

Even individuals who have renounced Japanese nationality can reacquire it. Examples include the following cases:

If one parent holds Japanese nationality and the child is born abroad, the child acquires both Japanese and foreign nationality by birth. In this case, unless a declaration to “reserve Japanese nationality” is submitted along with the birth registration, the child loses Japanese nationality retroactively to the time of birth. This means the child will only hold the foreign nationality.

However, if the person described above meets the following requirements, they can reacquire Japanese nationality by filing a notification with the Minister of Justice:

・If Japanese nationality was lost without filing a notification to retain it
・If the child was under 18 years old at the time of the notification
・If they have a residence in Japan (meaning their principal place of living is in Japan at the time of notification; temporary stays in Japan for tourism, visiting relatives, etc., are not recognized).

・If acquiring Japanese nationality would result in losing their current nationality

Furthermore, individuals holding dual nationality (Japanese and foreign) who acquired dual nationality before age 18 must choose one nationality by age 20. Those who acquired dual nationality after age 18 must choose one nationality within two years.

If Japanese nationality is not chosen within the above deadlines, the person will receive a written notice from the Minister of Justice. Failure to choose Japanese nationality within one month of the notice date results in loss of Japanese nationality. However, such individuals can reacquire Japanese nationality if they meet the following conditions:

・Loss of Japanese nationality was based on a notice published in the Official Gazette

・Acquiring Japanese nationality will result in the loss of their current foreign nationality
・They report to the Minister of Justice within one year of learning about the loss of Japanese nationality

Summary

Japan does not recognize so-called “dual nationality.” Therefore, individuals holding both Japanese and foreign nationality must choose one. However, even those who have lost Japanese nationality or renounced it can reacquire Japanese nationality if they meet certain requirements.