So, you’re thinking about becoming a Japanese citizen? Maybe you're just curious, or perhaps it's something you're seriously considering for the future. It's often said that gaining Japanese citizenship is incredibly difficult—but that’s not necessarily true.
What makes Japan different is the emphasis on time, patience, and showing that you can adapt to and integrate into Japanese society.
We’re here to clear up the confusion and answer the questions many people have. What does it really take to become a Japanese citizen? And how can you start preparing now if it’s a path you’re considering?
Can You Become a Japanese Citizen as a Foreigner?
Short answer: Yes, foreigners can become Japanese citizens.
Japan is a modern, industrialized country with a democratic constitution, and it does allow naturalization for those who meet the criteria.
In most cases, people apply for Japanese citizenship after living in Japan for several years and becoming part of the community. Integration into society is key, and it's not something that happens overnight.
As part of the process, you’ll typically be required to take a basic Japanese language test. You should be able to handle everyday communication and read/write at a 3rd-grade elementary school level.
If you’ve never been to Japan but feel like it could be the right place for you, the best first step is to plan a trip to Japan. Experience the culture, the lifestyle, and see how it feels firsthand before considering something as big as citizenship.
Types of Japanese Visas
There is a wide range of Japanese visas, so you need to select the right one when making a start to a new life in Japan. Many people who eventually gain Japanese citizenship start with a student visa or a temporary work visa, finally gaining permanent residency (eijuken) as the key stepping stone to naturalization.
These are some of the most common visa routes to potential Japanese citizenship:
Student Visa
If you want to be able to work as a student, you will need to apply separately for a work permit.
Working Visa
There are various categories according to skill set or profession. A company or potential employer needs to act as your sponsor or guarantor. Periods of stay and renewal criteria vary.
Highly Skilled Professional Visa
This is a special category of visa set apart from a typical working visa and has an automatic 5-year stay period.
Long-Term Resident Visa
For people of Japanese ancestry who have returned to Japan. The length of stay various case by case.
Spouse or Child of Japanese National Visa
A visa for foreign spouses of Japanese nationals and any children they may have.
Permanent Resident Visa
The goose that lays the golden egg of Japanese citizenship. With no work restrictions, you are free to pursue any career path.
Practical Steps on How to Become a Japanese Citizen
For the most part, in order to qualify for Japanese citizenship, you need to first have permanent residency or ‘eijuken’, as outlined by these main criteria:
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You need to have lived in Japan for 10 years and been in stable and gainful employment for at least 5 years.
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If married to a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident of Japan, you need to be married for three years and living in the country for one year.
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Highly skilled professionals can get permanent residency within one or three years, depending on a points system.
A successful application for permanent residency may take three months or more. On the other hand, applying for Japanese citizenship is a much longer process and the application turnover period is around two years.
If your application is denied, you will likely be given a clear reason why your application failed, when you can potentially re-apply, and what you need to do to improve your chances a second time around.
1. Become as Proficient as Possible in the Japanese Language
Although the current language requirement for Japanese citizenship is only Elementary 3rd grade, the better you are in Japanese, the more career and social opportunities you will have in the future. Also, try to familiarize yourself with deeper aspects of Japanese culture.
2. Identify the Best Route to Citizenship
Depending on your age, skills, qualifications, and life situation, there are various routes to acquiring Japanese citizenship. The journey to naturalization can start with a student visa, marriage to a Japanese national, a temporary work visa, or as a highly skilled professional. Acquiring Japanese citizenship can be a long-term goal, or it could be a choice that makes sense after living in Japan for many years.
3. Consult the Legal Affairs Bureau and Do Research
The place to start is usually your local Legal Affairs Bureau or ‘Homukyoku’. In larger cities, you may be able to do some consultation at the Immigration Center or Nyukoku Kanrikyoku. Ideally, you should be able to handle this consultation by yourself in Japanese, or at least have someone with you who can help.
Do your due diligence by checking the official MOJ website and other trustworthy sources of information on Japanese citizenship.
4. Plan Ahead with Documentation
If you do not have possession of your birth certificate, it’s best to get two copies as early as possible. You will also need to provide the birth certificates of any children you have, your marriage certificate (if you are married), the marriage certificate of your parents, and the birth certificate of any siblings (if doable). For some countries, this is not so straightforward and could complicate or extend the application process.
Other documents, such as a ‘certification of citizenship’ from your home country, have to be issued within a 6-month period of your application. If you apply too early for these, you will need to re-apply, and this can be quite time-consuming and costly.
These documents will be copied, certified, and later returned to you. One issue of your birth certificate will be kept on record.
5. Check your Taxes, Pension Fund, and Health Insurance
Application for Japanese citizenship generally works to a five-year back period. You will be told which tax statements to get from your local ward office, but your tax returns and tax obligations should be up-to-date.
You will also need to be enrolled for at least five years in the National Pension Fund (Kokumin Nenkin) and paying into National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenkou Hoken). If you are not enrolled onto your company’s social security program (Shakkai Hoken), make sure to enroll individually in the national health and pension systems as early as possible.
Another requirement is a declaration and proof of your income, financial assets, and liabilities. This would include current and savings accounts in Japan, monies and assets you may have in other countries, as well as any loans or mortgages in your name.
Does Japan Allow Dual Citizenship With the US?
Japan does not officially allow dual citizenship with the United States or any other country.
The final process of acquiring Japanese citizenship requires you to renounce your previous citizenship(s) and to provide official proof of renunciation.
For some countries, renouncing your birth citizenship can be complicated. In this situation, you may be allowed to hold de facto dual citizenship under strict conditions. The situation will be dealt with case by case, or you may need to consult an immigration specialist.
A Japanese child born in a foreign country, or whose father and/or mother is a foreign national, must decide which nationality to formally accept once they are 20 years of age.
The benefits of citizenship will vary depending on your country of origin. For countries of a similar economic and world standing to Japan, the benefits may be less pronounced. Another factor is whether you are married with children in Japan, and whether they may benefit from you maintaining a foreign nationality.
Can a US Citizen Immigrate to Japan and Get Citizenship?
Yes, a US citizen can move to Japan and eventually apply for Japanese citizenship, provided they meet all the legal requirements.
In doing so, however, they would have to relinquish their United States citizenship. This is a serious step for any American to take since it is extremely difficult to have one's American citizenship reinstated.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Citizenship in Japan?
When it comes to application fees, Japan doesn’t charge the hefty sums seen in some other developed countries. Most costs come from document translations and obtaining paperwork from your home country.
These costs will depend a lot on your county of origin. An important consideration is the time it takes to acquire all the necessary documentation and whether you can do so online, or via postal application.
Some documentation may require you to visit your country’s embassy or another diplomatic office in Japan. If you do not live in an urban center like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, where most foreign embassies and consulates are located, this may incur considerable travel costs.
Final Thoughts and Comments
The information here on how to become a Japanese citizen is current at the time of publication, but may be subject to change. Therefore, please consult your local ward offices or an immigration specialist in case of future policy changes.
The author of this article, Roger Shitaki, acquired Japanese citizenship as a long term resident of Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. If you are a naturalized Japanese citizen, let us know how it was for you and any tips you may have for others.
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