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Naturalization (Nationality Act)

Naturalization

(Article 4)

Ⅰ A person who is not a Japanese citizen (hereinafter referred to as "foreign national") may acquire Japanese nationality through naturalization.

 To undergo naturalization, permission of the Minister of Justice shall be obtained.

General Requirements

(Article 5)

The Minister of Justice may not permit naturalization for a foreign national who has not met the following conditions:

Ⅰ Having continuously had a domicile in Japan for five years or more;(※1)

Being twenty years of age or more and having the capacity to act according to his/her national law(※2)

Ⅲ Being a person of good conduct; (※3)

Ⅳ Being able to make a living through his/her own assets or abilities, or through those of a spouse or of another relative his/her making a living; (※4)

Ⅴ Not having a nationality or having to give up his/her nationality due to the acquisition of Japanese nationality; and (Note 1)
(Note 1)
In cases where despite the foreign national's intention, he/she is unable to give up his/her nationality, the Minister of Justice may permit naturalization if special circumstances are found concerning a familial relationship or circumstances with a Japanese citizen even if that foreign national has not met the conditions listed in the preceding paragraph, item (Ⅴ).

On or after the date of promulgation of the Constitution of Japan, not having planned or advocated the destruction of the Constitution of Japan or the government established thereunder with force, and not having formed or joined a political party or other organization planning or advocating the same.

(※1)
  • The applicant needs to live in Japan for at least five years in a row. If the applicant does not have a domicile in Japan when applying for permission, the applications will not be accepted.
  • If the applicant has stayed in a foreign country for a prolonged period of time during his or her stay history in Japan (five years or more), the applications may not be accepted.
  • The applicant is required to have a domicile in Japan with any of the legitimate status of residence; therefore, illegal residents in Japan can not apply for the naturalization.
(※2)
  • If the foreign national applies for the naturalization in a private capacity, he or she is at least 20 years old and legally competent under his/her national law.
(※3)
  • The applicant should have a good and clean record including a tax payment status in Japan.
(※4)
  • The applicant including his/her spouse and relatives should have sufficient income and/or assets (ex. bank deposit and real estate) in order to maintain the minimum standard of living in Japan.
  • If the applicant has any professional license to support his/her living in Japan, it may give him/her an advantage for obtaining permission.
Exemption Ⅰ

(Article 6)

The Minister of Justice may permit naturalization for a foreign national currently having a domicile in Japan who falls under one of the following items even if that person has not met the conditions of "Having continuously had a domicile in Japan for five years or more":

 A child (excluding an adopted child) of a Japanese citizen, the former continuously having a domicile or residence in Japan for three years or more;

 A person born in Japan, and continuously having a domicile or residence in Japan for three years or more or whose father or mother (excluding an adoptive parent) was born in Japan;

 A person having a residence in Japan continuously for ten years or more.

Exemption Ⅱ

(Article 7)

The Minister of Justice may permit naturalization of a foreign national with a spouse who is a Japanese citizen, said foreign national continuously having a domicile or residence in Japan for three years or more and who currently has a residence in Japan even if that person does not meet the conditions of "Having continuously had a domicile in Japan for five years or more" and "Being twenty years of age or more and having the capacity to act according to his/her national law"The same shall apply to a foreign national with a spouse who is a Japanese citizen, for whom three years have elapsed since the date of their marriage, which foreign national has continuously maintained a domicile in Japan for one year or more.

  • This exemption is applicable for a spouse of a Japanese national.
  • The martial relationship with a Japanese national should be continuing at the date of filing the application.
  • If the applicant has his/her martial relationship with a Japanese national for more than three years, he/she only needs to stay in Japan for one year in order to meet the requirements.
Exemption Ⅲ

(Article 8)

The Minister of Justice may permit naturalization of a foreign national who falls under one of the following items even if that person has not met the conditions of "Having continuously had a domicile in Japan for five years or more", "Being twenty years of age or more and having the capacity to act according to his/her national law" and "Being able to make a living through his/her own assets or abilities, or through those of a spouse or of another relative his/her making a living":

 A child (excluding an adopted child) of a Japanese citizen, said child having a domicile in Japan;

Ⅱ An adopted child of a Japanese citizen, said child continuously having a domicile in Japan for one year or more, and having been a minor according to his/her national law at the time of adoption;

 A person having lost his/her Japanese nationality (excluding a person who lost his/her Japanese nationality after naturalization in Japan) having a domicile in Japan; or

 A person born in Japan, not having any nationality since the time of birth, and continuously having a domicile in Japan for three years or more since that time.

  • If applicable, the applicant is only required to satisfy the above general conditions of , and
Public Notice

(Article 10)

  • When permitting naturalization, the Minister of Justice shall provide public notice thereof in the official gazette.
  • Naturalization shall have effect from the date of the public notice.
Notification by a Statutory Agent

(Article 18)

The notification of acquisition of permission for naturalization shall be made by a statutory agent if the person desiring nationality acquisition is under fifteen years of age.