2025-10-10

When foreigners acquire Japanese nationality, they must apply for naturalization. One requirement for approval is the “good conduct requirement,” meaning no tax delinquencies and compliance with laws. But how is unpaid pension assessed?

Naturalization Application Procedure

To apply for naturalization, a foreign national must first consult with the staff at the Legal Affairs Bureau that has jurisdiction over their place of residence.

During this consultation, it is necessary to provide as much detailed information as possible about when you came to Japan, when you obtained your current residence status, what kind of work you are currently doing, your annual income, whether you have a spouse, and if so, whether that spouse is Japanese.

Why is it necessary to provide such detailed personal information? Because this information determines whether the applicant meets the requirements for naturalization. It also determines which documents and materials are required for the application.

Requirements for Naturalization

There are six requirements for naturalization:

The first is the “Residence Requirement.” Foreigners applying for naturalization must have continuously resided in Japan for at least five years prior to applying.

The second is the “Capacity Requirement.” Applicants must be adults in Japan, meaning they must be 18 years of age or older. They must also have reached the age of majority under the laws of their home country.

The third is the “Conduct Requirement.” Specifically, this means having no issues with conduct and complying with the law, such as having no history of tax delinquency, criminal punishment, or serious traffic violations.

The fourth is the “Livelihood Requirement.” The applicant, or relatives sharing the same livelihood (such as a spouse), must have sufficient assets or skills to ensure a stable life in Japan going forward.

The fifth requirement is the “Prevention of Multiple Nationality Requirement.” This means the applicant currently has no nationality, or agrees to renounce their current nationality upon acquiring Japanese nationality.

The sixth requirement is the “Constitutional Compliance Requirement.” This means the applicant has never attempted to destroy the government established under the Constitution of Japan through violence, advocated for such destruction, formed or joined a political party or other organization with that purpose.

Does Pension Arrears Affect the Application?

Earlier, under the fourth requirement, “Good Conduct Requirement,” we explained that the applicant must have good conduct and comply with the law. So, if an applicant has unpaid pension contributions, does this affect the naturalization application review?

To state the conclusion first: it does have an impact. If the applicant has unpaid pension contributions despite having a legal obligation to pay, this is equivalent to “tax arrears.”

Therefore, if you are considering applying for naturalization and have unpaid pension contributions, you must settle all outstanding amounts before applying.

Summary

If a naturalization applicant has unpaid pension contributions, this will be viewed as problematic during the review process and may lead to the application being denied. Therefore, if you have unpaid pension contributions, ensure you settle all outstanding amounts before applying.