【Answering Simple Questions】What Happens When a Half-Japanese Child Changes Nationality?
As international marriages have increased in Japan, the number of children born to Japanese and foreign parents—so-called “half-Japanese” children—has grown. Which parent’s nationality do these children hold? And what should they do if they wish to change their nationality?
Nationality of Half-Japanese Children
Children born to a Japanese parent and a foreign parent (half-Japanese) always acquire Japanese nationality. Under Japanese law, even if the child is born abroad, if one parent is Japanese, the child automatically acquires Japanese nationality.
Conversely, under U.S. law, children born within the United States automatically acquire U.S. nationality, regardless of their parents’ nationality.
Thus, even when simply referred to as “half,” the nationality a child can acquire differs depending on the nationality of their parents or the country of their birth.
Procedures for Changing Nationality
As explained earlier, a child born to a Japanese father and an American mother automatically acquires Japanese nationality. If the child is born in the United States, they acquire both Japanese and American nationality simultaneously. This state is known as “dual nationality.”
If a child with dual nationality returns to Japan, they can live with dual nationality for a while. However, if the child acquired dual nationality before turning 18, they must choose one nationality by age 20. If the child acquired dual nationality after turning 18, they must choose one nationality within two years of acquiring dual nationality.
If choosing Japanese nationality, procedures to renounce the foreign nationality must be completed. Specifically, submit a “Declaration of Loss of Foreign Nationality” to the municipal office or a Japanese embassy/consulate. Alternatively, submit a “Declaration of Choice of Nationality” to the municipal office or a Japanese embassy/consulate, stating the choice of Japanese nationality and the renunciation of the foreign nationality.
Conversely, if choosing the foreign nationality, submit a “Declaration of Renunciation of Nationality” to the Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over your residence or to a Japanese embassy, accompanied by a certified copy of the family register, proof of address, and documentation proving possession of the foreign nationality. Alternatively, submit a “Declaration of Loss of Nationality” to the municipal office or Japanese embassy, accompanied by documents proving the selection of the foreign nationality.
Summary
If one parent holds Japanese nationality, a child born overseas may acquire “dual nationality.” While living in Japan, this generally causes no immediate issues, but the child must choose which nationality to retain by age 18.
