2025-10-06

A naturalization application is the procedure foreign nationals undergo to acquire Japanese nationality. While standard residence status applications involve reviewing submitted forms and documents before granting permission, naturalization applications include an “investigation” in addition to interviews with the applicant, visits or phone calls to their home and workplace.

What is a Naturalization Application?

A naturalization application is the procedure undertaken by foreign nationals wishing to acquire Japanese nationality. If the application is approved, the applicant loses their previous foreign nationality and acquires Japanese nationality. Consequently, the screening process is rigorous.

Furthermore, numerous documents must be submitted, and the review period typically takes about one year. During this time, the contents of the submitted documents are verified, and the applicant undergoes an interview. Additionally, visits to the applicant’s home and workplace, as well as telephone confirmations, are conducted.

What are the Conduct Requirements?

Among the requirements for naturalization approval are the “conduct requirements.” These “conduct requirements” are criteria used to assess whether the applicant’s daily conduct is good. Specifically, the following items are reviewed:

・Whether the applicant has a criminal record or prior convictions
・Whether the applicant has delinquent pension payments or taxes
・Whether the applicant has committed serious traffic violations

To confirm whether the applicant meets these “good conduct requirements,” an “investigation” is conducted. This ‘investigation’ is also referred to as a “good conduct investigation.”

Methods of Investigation

The “investigation” is conducted using the following methods:

Information regarding the applicant’s criminal history, prior convictions, tax delinquencies, etc., can be readily obtained by inquiring with the relevant authorities. Traffic violations are investigated based on the criterion of “how many serious traffic violations occurred within the past five years prior to the application.” Generally, up to five minor traffic violations are considered within an acceptable range.

However, the “investigation” also covers other items. Specifically, it verifies whether the information provided in the application forms and documents submitted by the applicant is truthful.

For example, it involves investigating the nature of the applicant’s current employment and work attitude, or conducting interviews with neighbors and others in the applicant’s community to assess the applicant’s conduct. In essence, this is a background check to verify the accuracy of the information provided in the application and supporting documents. If this investigation determines that any information is false, the application will not be approved.

Therefore, providing false information is considered just as serious as failing to meet the three “behavioral requirements” explained earlier. In naturalization applications, not only is the applicant’s conduct in daily life important, but it is also crucial that the information provided in the submitted application and documents is truthful and accurate.

Summary

Naturalization applications involve investigations to confirm the absence of criminal records, etc. Additionally, background checks are conducted based on the content of the application and documents submitted by the applicant to verify that the information provided is truthful.