Quick Guide to Naturalization in Japan

By naturalizing in Japan, foreign nationals can acquire Japanese citizenship and gain full access to social security rights and voting rights. For those who intend to live in Japan for the rest of their lives, many choose to pursue naturalization rather than permanent residency.

The key points of this article are as follows:

✓There are three types of naturalization: General Naturalization, Simplified Naturalization, and Great Naturalization (with no historical precedent), each with its own specific requirements. ✓There are seven requirements for General Naturalization:①Domicile Requirement: Continuous residency in Japan.　②Capacity Requirement: Being of legal age and competence.　③Good Conduct Requirement: Having a clean record and paying taxes.　④Livelihood Requirement: Financial stability and independence.　⑤Loss of Nationality Requirement: Willingness to relinquish your current citizenship.　⑥Constitutional (Ideology) Requirement: Not plotting against the Japanese government.　⑦Japanese Language Proficiency: Ability to communicate and function in daily life. ✓Regarding the 5-year Domicile Requirement, the following conditions are generally expected:①Single Absence: You must not have been outside of Japan for more than 3 consecutive months at one time.　②Total Absences: Your total time outside of Japan must not exceed 100 to 150 days within a single year.　③Employment & Tax History: You must have a proven track record of working and paying taxes for at least the past 3 years. ✓The Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement generally expects a level equivalent to a 3rd-grade elementary student, or approximately N3 level on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). ✓Simplified Naturalization: Foreign spouses of Japanese nationals, children of Japanese citizens, those born in Japan, or individuals residing in Japan for over 10 years may apply for “Simplified Naturalization,” which features relaxed domicile requirements. ✓Where to Apply: Consultations and applications must be handled at the Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over your area, and an appointment is required. ✓Documentation: The process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, as it requires gathering documents both from your home country and within Japan. ✓Timeline: It can take over a year from the initial consultation to receive the final results of the examination.

To apply for naturalization, you must visit the Legal Affairs Bureau in person to handle the necessary interactions and procedures. Because the documentation is extensive and the hurdles are high, it is essential to first understand the overall flow of the application process.

1. Requirements for Naturalization by Type

There are three types of naturalization: General Naturalization, Special (Simplified) Naturalization, and Great Naturalization. The specific application requirements for each are explained below.

1-1. Requirements for General Naturalization

General Naturalization is a method of naturalizing by meeting the seven requirements stipulated in the Nationality Act. Assuming the applicant is at least 18 years old and has lived in Japan for at least 5 years, they must satisfy the following conditions:

• Domicile Requirement: You must have maintained a continuous residence in Japan for at least 5 years leading up to the application.
• Capacity Requirement: You must be 18 years of age or older and have reached the age of adulthood according to the laws of your home country.
• Good Conduct Requirement: Your overall behavior—including criminal record and tax payment status—will be evaluated.
• Livelihood Requirement: You must be able to maintain a stable living as a household unit sharing the same finances.
• Loss of Nationality Requirement: You must be stateless or willing to relinquish your current nationality (to avoid dual citizenship).
• Constitutional (Ideology) Requirement: You must not hold ideologies that advocate the violent overthrow of the Japanese government.
• Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement: You must be able to read and write Japanese at a level equivalent to a 3rd-grade elementary student or JLPT N3.

This is the standard path to acquiring Japanese citizenship for foreign nationals who came to Japan for work or other reasons and do not have a marital relationship with a Japanese national.

Domicile Requirement

You are required to have maintained a continuous residence in Japan for at least 5 consecutive years leading up to your application. If you lived in Japan for 4 years, moved abroad for 1 year, and then returned to live in Japan for another year, you do not meet the “continuous” residency requirement. In this case, the clock resets, and you must reside in Japan for a new 5-year period starting from the date of your return.

Furthermore, during this 5-year residency period, you must satisfy all of the following conditions:

• Single Absence: A single period outside of Japan must not exceed 3 months.
• Total Absences: The total number of days spent outside Japan in a single year must not exceed 100 to 150 days.
  Note: Please be aware that the assessment of travel days may vary depending on the Legal Affairs Bureau and is subject to change in the future.
• Employment & Tax History: You must have a proven record of employment and tax payments for the past 3 years (the number of job changes does not matter).

Capacity Requirement

You must be at least 18 years of age and have reached the age of adulthood according to the laws of your home country. While the standard was previously 20 years or older, it was changed to 18 years or older as of April 1, 2022, following an amendment to the Civil Code.

Good Conduct Requirement

Your eligibility will be comprehensively evaluated based on factors such as your criminal record, traffic violations, and tax and pension payment status. If you have been sentenced to a criminal penalty within the past 5 years or have violated your obligation to pay taxes and other fees, your naturalization will not be approved. For corporate executives and sole proprietors, any violation regarding company or business taxes, in addition to personal taxes, will also lead to a denial.

Livelihood Requirement

You are required to maintain a stable living as a household unit sharing the same finances. The primary focus is whether you have a stable and regular monthly income from employment. Even if you have very little in savings, your naturalization application can still be accepted.

For single applicants, a monthly income of 200,000 yen is generally considered sufficient. If you are married, the breadwinner does not necessarily have to be the applicant; as long as the household—including the spouse—meets the economic criteria, that is enough. Note that if you have many dependents, the required income level will increase accordingly.

On the other hand, naturalization will not be approved for those whose business is in the red, who have significant debt, are unemployed, have unstable income, or have insufficient pension enrollment periods.

Loss of Nationality Requirement

Applicants for naturalization are required to relinquish their original nationality. However, some countries, such as Iran, do not permit the renunciation of nationality. In such cases, alternative procedures may be available as an exception. Furthermore, for individuals from countries with compulsory military service, naturalization may not be approved unless the military service requirement has been fulfilled.

Constitutional Requirement

This means that you must not hold ideologies that advocate the overthrow of the Japanese government through violence. This includes individuals such as terrorists or members of organized crime groups (Boryokudan).

Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement

The Nationality Act does not explicitly state a specific requirement for Japanese language proficiency. However, in practice, Japanese language skills are treated as an unofficial yet essential requirement, and the screening process regarding this point has become particularly strict in recent years.

Generally, a level equivalent to a 3rd-grade elementary student or JLPT N3 (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) is considered the benchmark.

Recently, the format of the resume (personal history) has been updated, and it is now necessary to specify the languages you use. This measure is intended to verify the applicant’s Japanese language proficiency, with a particular focus on reading and writing skills.

During the preliminary consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau, officials may observe whether you take notes in Japanese. If you take notes in your native language, your Japanese proficiency may be questioned, which could lead to an additional language test. While taking notes in Japanese does not guarantee an exemption from the test, your use of the language in daily communication is certainly being evaluated.

It has also been pointed out that for simplified naturalization applications after 3 years (or 1 year) of marriage to a Japanese national—which will be described later—there are many cases where Japanese language proficiency becomes a major bottleneck.

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1-2. Requirements for Simplified Naturalization

Foreign nationals who are spouses of Japanese citizens, children of Japanese citizens, children born in Japan, or foreign nationals who have resided in Japan for over 10 years are eligible for simplified naturalization.

In the simplified naturalization process, some of the seven requirements for ordinary naturalization are relaxed. However, even if certain requirements are eased, the Japanese language proficiency requirement is always mandatory.

In the Case of a Foreign Spouse of a Japanese National

Foreign nationals who are spouses of Japanese citizens and fall under the categories below may apply for naturalization even if they do not satisfy the Domicile Requirement (5 consecutive years of residence in Japan) or the Capacity Requirement (being an adult of 18 years or older).

• Spouse of a Japanese national, married for less than 3 years:
  The Domicile Requirement is reduced from 5 years to 3 years.
• Spouse of a Japanese national, married for 3 years or more:
  The Domicile Requirement is reduced from 5 years to 1 year.

Since marriages involving minors are extremely rare in practice, it is primarily the 5-year Domicile Requirement that is relaxed. For spouses of Japanese nationals, this period is shortened from 5 years to either 1 year or 3 years, depending on the length of the marriage at the time of application.

Children of Japanese Citizens or Children Born in Japan

Children of parents who have naturalized as Japanese citizens, as well as children born in Japan, can apply for naturalization even if they do not satisfy the Domicile Requirement (5 consecutive years of residence in Japan), the Capacity Requirement (being an adult of 18 years or older), or the Livelihood Requirement.

• Biological child of a Japanese national (excluding adopted children):
  The 5-year Domicile Requirement is waived (no residence period limit).
• Adopted child of a Japanese national who was a minor at the time of adoption according to the laws of their home country:
  The Domicile Requirement is reduced from 5 years to 1 year.
• Former Japanese national who renounced Japanese citizenship (excluding those who lost citizenship after naturalizing in Japan):
  The 5-year Domicile Requirement is waived (no residence period limit).
• Child born in Japan who has been stateless since birth:
  The Domicile Requirement is reduced from 5 years to 3 years.

For children who fall under the following categories, only the Domicile Requirement is relaxed.

• Child of a person who was a Japanese national (excluding adopted children):
  The Domicile Requirement is reduced from 5 years to 3 years.
• Child born in Japan:
  The Domicile Requirement is reduced from 5 years to 3 years.

Foreign Nationals Who Have Resided in Japan for 10 Years or More

For foreign nationals who have resided in Japan for 10 consecutive years or more, the Domicile Requirement is relaxed. Specifically, the requirement of 3 years of work and tax history is reduced, and 1 year of work and tax history is sufficient. For example, it is perfectly acceptable if you have lived in Japan for 9 years on a Student visa and 1 year on a Work visa, totaling 10 years.

1-3. Requirements for Extraordinary Naturalization

Extraordinary Naturalization is a special measure applied to foreign nationals who have rendered distinguished service to Japan. With the approval of the National Diet, the Minister of Justice can grant naturalization even if the applicant does not satisfy the seven standard requirements. However, as of 2024, there has not been a single case where this measure was actually applied.

2. Flow of the Naturalization Application Process in Japan

The following explains the general flow of the naturalization application process. If the applicant is 15 years of age or older, they must perform the procedures themselves; if they are under 15, a legal representative such as a parent or guardian must do so. Since the process requires multiple visits to the Legal Affairs Bureau and the preparation of numerous documents, it is important to be well-prepared.

Reference: “Application for Naturalization Permission,” Ministry of Justice

2-1. Make an Appointment for a Consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau

First, make an appointment for a consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over your area. Since it can sometimes take up to two months to secure a slot, we recommend scheduling your consultation as early as possible.

During the consultation, the official will confirm details such as the following:

• Nationality of the applicant
• Status of residence (Visa type)
• Family composition
• Living conditions / Financial situation
• Work history
• Circumstances of arrival in Japan
• Presence of a criminal record
• Japanese language proficiency

Based on these details, if the official determines that you have a good prospect of meeting the naturalization requirements, they will provide guidance on the necessary documents. First, they will explain which documents you need to obtain from your home country, so be sure to listen carefully. If the official determines that you are unlikely to meet the requirements, you will not be able to proceed to the next step.

2-2. Collecting Necessary Documents

Follow the instructions from the official at the Legal Affairs Bureau and collect the required documents. The Legal Affairs Bureau provides a “Guide to Naturalization Application,” and you should prepare and create the necessary documents according to this guide.

In principle, you must prepare two sets of documents (one set can be copies, but the naturalization application form and attached photos must be originals for both sets). Additionally, you must have the originals of all documents to be submitted ready. For documents that are difficult to re-issue and whose originals cannot be submitted (e.g., passports, contracts, etc.), prepare two copies in advance. At the time of application, you will present these originals, and the official will verify them against the copies.

The following are some of the necessary documents listed in the guide:

①Application for Naturalization Permission (with photo attached)
②Outline of Relatives (listing family members)
③Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume)
・Final Graduation Certificate or Diploma
・Certificate of Enrollment (if currently a student)
・Documents proving skills/qualifications
・Driver’s License
④Statement of Motive for Naturalization (Handwritten)
⑤Oath of Allegiance
⑥Documents Proving Nationality and Identity
・Family Register (Koseki) or Family Relation Certificate from home country
・Certificate of Nationality
・Birth Certificate
・Marriage Certificate (Applicant, parents)
・Relative Relationship Certificate
・Written Statement and others (e.g., Death Certificate of parents)
・Passport / Travel Document
・Certificates of Registration of Birth, Death, Marriage, or Divorce (Japanese certificates of entry)
・Others (Adoption, Recognition of parentage, Court documents, etc.)
・Certified Copy of Japanese Family Register (If the applicant is a former Japanese national, or if parents, children, spouse, or fiancé are Japanese/former Japanese)
⑦Certificate of Loss of Nationality
⑧Certificate of Residence (Juminhyo) (For applicant and all household members)
⑨Outline of Living Expenses (Livelihood)
・Certificate of Employment and Salary (Issued by employer)
・Certificate of Registered Matters for Land/Buildings (Real estate registry)
・Certificate of Bank Balance / Bank Passbook
・Lease Agreement (For rental properties)
⑩Outline of Business (If the applicant owns a business)
・Certificate of Registered Matters for Corporations
・Business Licenses / Permits
⑪Tax Payment Certificates

[Individuals]: Withholding Tax Slip (Gensen-choshu-hyo), Tax Return (copy), Income Tax Payment Certificates, Enterprise Tax Payment Certificates, Inhabitant Tax Certificates (Prefectural/Municipal), Receipts for tax payments, etc.

[Corporations]: Corporate Tax Return (copy), Corporate Income Tax Payment Certificates, Corporate Enterprise Tax Payment Certificates, Consumption Tax Payment Certificates, etc.

⑫Proof of Social Insurance Premium Payments (For the past year)
・Public Pension payment records (Nenkin定期便, receipts)
・Public Health Insurance payment records (For National Health Insurance)
・Nursing Care Insurance payment records (If applicable)
⑬Driving Record Certificate (For the past 5 years), Driving History Certificate (If license expired or was revoked)
⑭Map of the Vicinity of Home, Workplace, and Business Office
⑮Others (Snapshots/Personal photos)

While some documents from your home country can be obtained through your embassy, other cases may require you to return to your home country to get them. Since the Legal Affairs Bureau does not provide detailed advice on how to collect each specific document, you must gather this information and complete the paperwork on your own. Furthermore, any documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. This entire process takes a significant amount of time and effort, making it a point where many applicants get discouraged and give up.

2-3. Preparing and Filling Out Application Documents

Once you have gathered all the documents, you must make another appointment with the Legal Affairs Bureau to have them checked. If there are any inconsistencies among the collected documents, you cannot proceed to the next step, so it is crucial to ensure every document is accurate. If no issues are found, the official will provide guidance on the documents to be obtained within Japan and the official naturalization application forms. From this point, you must gather even more documents. As for the application forms, you must fill them out—typically by hand—according to the guide.

2-4. Bringing All Required Application Documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau

Once you have filled out the naturalization application forms and gathered all the required documents, you must make another appointment and bring everything to the Legal Affairs Bureau. After the official reviews and checks the documents, you will sign them, and your application will be officially accepted. However, please note that this is merely the acceptance of your application, and there is no guarantee that naturalization will be granted.

Once accepted, information inquiries will be conducted by various government agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, tax offices, and the police.

2-5. Attending an Interview at the Legal Affairs Bureau

About two to six months after your application is accepted, the Legal Affairs Bureau will contact you to schedule an interview. The applicant must appear at the Legal Affairs Bureau in person and will be asked questions regarding their reasons for naturalization, personal history, work history, impressions of Japan, confirmation of their intent to renounce their current nationality, and future goals. In some cases, a short Japanese language test (about 20 to 30 minutes) may also be administered during the interview.

If you have a spouse, they must accompany you to the bureau. Please be aware that your behavior outside of the actual interview room is also subject to evaluation as part of the screening process.

2-6. Neighborhood Investigations and Home Visits by the Legal Affairs Bureau

In some cases, visits and investigations may be conducted at your home, workplace, or neighborhood, or a phone call may be made to your workplace to confirm your employment. If you are requested to submit additional documents, be sure to gather and submit them promptly.

2-7. Renouncing Your Current Nationality

If it is determined that your naturalization in Japan is likely to be approved, you will undergo procedures to renounce your home country’s nationality to prevent dual citizenship. Shortly before the approval is officially granted, the Legal Affairs Bureau will contact you to complete the necessary communication for the renunciation process via phone or mail. Since the documents required for renunciation vary depending on your home country, please follow the instructions of the Legal Affairs Bureau official.

2-8. Notification of Approval or Denial

If your naturalization is approved, your name will be published in the Official Gazette (Kanpo), after which the Legal Affairs Bureau will contact you by phone or other means. If it is denied, you will receive a notification of non-permission by mail.

2-9. Receiving the Naturalization Permission Notice and Identification Card at the Legal Affairs Bureau

By appearing at the Legal Affairs Bureau on the designated date specified when you received the approval notice, you can receive your Naturalization Permission Notice and your Japanese Identification Card.

You must return your Residence Card to the Immigration Services Agency. In addition, you must return your Special Permanent Resident Certificate (or Alien Registration Certificate) to the municipal office within 14 days of the designated date, and submit a Notification of Naturalization within one month, accompanied by the Identification Card received from the Legal Affairs Bureau.

Other necessary procedures associated with naturalization include changing the name on your driver’s license and credit cards, and obtaining a Japanese passport.

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3. Important Points to Note Regarding Naturalization Applications

In many cases, it takes more than a year from the time of application until the results are issued, and during that period, your address, family composition, or workplace may change. If any change affects the content of your application, you must contact the Legal Affairs Bureau. Please be careful, as you may also be required to submit additional documents.

The naturalization application process requires a great deal of time and effort. It is not uncommon for people to get discouraged and give up because they do not know the right procedures. If applying on your own proves difficult, hiring a professional can ensure a smooth process and reduce your physical and mental burden.

4. Summary

In this article, we introduced the requirements for each type of naturalization and the overall application process. The key points are summarized below.

✓There are three types of naturalization: General Naturalization, Simplified Naturalization, and Great Naturalization (with no historical precedent), each with its own specific requirements. ✓There are seven requirements for General Naturalization:①Domicile Requirement: Continuous residency in Japan.　②Capacity Requirement: Being of legal age and competence.　③Good Conduct Requirement: Having a clean record and paying taxes.　④Livelihood Requirement: Financial stability and independence.　⑤Loss of Nationality Requirement: Willingness to relinquish your current citizenship.　⑥Constitutional (Ideology) Requirement: Not plotting against the Japanese government.　⑦Japanese Language Proficiency: Ability to communicate and function in daily life. ✓Regarding the 5-year Domicile Requirement, the following conditions are generally expected:①Single Absence: You must not have been outside of Japan for more than 3 consecutive months at one time.　②Total Absences: Your total time outside of Japan must not exceed 100 to 150 days within a single year.　③Employment & Tax History: You must have a proven track record of working and paying taxes for at least the past 3 years. ✓The Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement generally expects a level equivalent to a 3rd-grade elementary student, or approximately N3 level on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). ✓Simplified Naturalization: Foreign spouses of Japanese nationals, children of Japanese citizens, those born in Japan, or individuals residing in Japan for over 10 years may apply for “Simplified Naturalization,” which features relaxed domicile requirements. ✓Where to Apply: Consultations and applications must be handled at the Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over your area, and an appointment is required. ✓Documentation: The process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, as it requires gathering documents both from your home country and within Japan. ✓Timeline: It can take over a year from the initial consultation to receive the final results of the examination.

The naturalization application process takes time and effort, and it can place a significant physical and mental burden on you. By seeking professional help as needed and taking each step with confidence, you can successfully move forward toward your goal of naturalization.

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