2025-10-25

Naturalization application is the procedure for foreign nationals to acquire Japanese nationality. As it involves changing nationality, the requirements for approval are numerous and the screening process is rigorous. We will explain the number of naturalization applications, the number of approvals, and other details.

What is a Naturalization Application?

A naturalization application is the procedure foreign nationals undergo to acquire Japanese nationality. Japan does not recognize so-called “dual nationality,” so applicants must renounce their previous foreign nationality upon acquiring Japanese nationality.

The following application forms and documents are required for a naturalization application:

・Application for Naturalization (requires applicant’s photo)
・Document outlining family relationships
・Statement of Motivation for Naturalization

・Curriculum Vitae

・Document outlining livelihood

・Document outlining business activities

・Copy of residence certificate

・Document proving nationality

・Document proving family relationships

・Document proving tax payment

・Document proving income

・Document proving residence history

Application Process

The naturalization application process proceeds as follows.

First, the applicant must visit the Immigration Services Agency (Regional Immigration Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau) with jurisdiction over their current address to confirm the required application documents. The bureau staff will verify the applicant’s circumstances, including their reason for coming to Japan, current residence status, family composition, and criminal history. Based on this information, if the applicant meets the naturalization requirements, the staff will inform them of the necessary documents and procedures.

Note that applicants must make an appointment with the Legal Affairs Bureau by phone or other means before visiting. Appointments may be booked several months in advance, so make your appointment early.

Once the required documents are prepared, bring the application form and documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau. After the staff reviews them, the application will be accepted if no issues are found. Approximately two to three months later, an interview will be conducted at the Legal Affairs Bureau to clarify any questions on the documents and discuss the applicant’s past and current circumstances. Interviews may also be conducted with the applicant’s family members.

Alongside the interview, the Legal Affairs Bureau will contact the applicant’s company, school, etc., to verify their status. In some cases, they may also visit the applicant’s home or workplace.

If it is determined that the applicant meets the naturalization requirements, the application and documents will be sent to the Ministry of Justice. Ultimately, the Minister of Justice will make the decision to grant or deny permission. The process from application to the decision on permission or denial typically takes about one year, but in some cases, it may take longer.

Number of Naturalization Applications

According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice’s Civil Affairs Bureau, the number of naturalization applications has remained around 10,000 per year in recent years. For example:

• Reiwa 1 (2019): 10,457
• Reiwa 2 (2020): 8,673
• Reiwa 3 (2021): 9,562
• Reiwa 4 (2022): 9,023
• Reiwa 5 (2023): 9,836

On the other hand, the number of people granted naturalization was 8,453 in 2019, 9,079 in 2020, 8,167 in 2021, 7,059 in 2022, and 8,800 in 2023. Although the number of applicants in 2020 was 8,673 and the number of approvals was 9,079, meaning approvals exceeded applications, this is because the process from application to approval takes about one year, and approval is not necessarily granted within the same calendar year.

Summary

The number of naturalization applications has hovered around 10,000 in recent years. The number of approvals ranges from 7,000 to 9,000. Therefore, the approval rate is approximately 80%.