Naturalization Application - Overview

What Is a Naturalization Application?

A naturalization application is the procedure through which a foreign national acquires Japanese nationality and begins living as a Japanese citizen.

Once naturalization is approved, a Japanese family register is created, and the applicant becomes a Japanese national.

However, acquiring Japanese nationality through naturalization generally requires the applicant to renounce their current nationality. Careful consideration is therefore necessary.

Approval or denial is determined after a comprehensive review of factors such as the applicant’s residence, income, tax payment record, conduct, and living circumstances in Japan.

Requirements for Naturalization

Submitting a naturalization application does not guarantee approval.

The Legal Affairs Bureau verifies whether the applicant satisfies the requirements prescribed by the Nationality Act and comprehensively assesses whether granting Japanese nationality is appropriate.

① Continuous Residence in Japan for at Least Five Years (Residence Requirement)

As a general rule, the applicant must have continuously maintained a residence in Japan for at least five years.

The applicant’s residence status, actual living circumstances in Japan, employment status, and other relevant factors during that period will also be reviewed.

If the applicant has spent an extended period outside Japan or does not have an established life in Japan, they may be deemed not to satisfy the continuous five-year residence requirement.

② Being at Least 18 Years Old and Having Legal Capacity (Capacity Requirement)

As a general rule, an applicant for naturalization must be at least 18 years old and have legal capacity under the laws of their country of nationality.

Legal capacity means the ability to enter into contracts and perform other legal acts based on one’s own decisions.

However, naturalization may be granted to a minor when they apply together with their parents or other qualifying family members.

③-1. Being of Good Conduct (Conduct Requirement)

An applicant’s everyday conduct and compliance with laws and regulations are reviewed as part of the naturalization process.

Factors such as tax payments, pension and health insurance premium payments, traffic violations, and criminal records are comprehensively reviewed to determine whether the applicant has lived appropriately in Japan.

In particular, unpaid taxes or social insurance premiums and repeated traffic violations may adversely affect the examination.

③-2. Key Factors Considered in Naturalization Applications

The examination considers not only whether the applicant satisfies the formal requirements but also whether they maintain a stable life as a member of Japanese society.

In practice, particular attention is commonly given to the following matters:

　・Whether taxes, pension contributions, and health insurance premiums have been properly paid

　・Whether there have been any traffic violations or other legal violations

　・Whether required notifications regarding the applicant’s address, employer, and other matters have been properly submitted

　・Whether the applicant has a stable income and established living foundation

　・Whether the submitted documents contain any inconsistencies or false information

Approval or denial is determined after a comprehensive review of these circumstances.

④ Having a Stable Income and Living Foundation (Livelihood Requirement)

The applicant or family members who share the same household finances must have a stable income sufficient to maintain an ongoing life in Japan.

The applicant does not necessarily need to support themselves solely through their own income. The requirement may also be satisfied when a stable household is maintained through the income of a spouse or another family member.

The Legal Affairs Bureau reviews income, assets, expenses, and other relevant factors to assess the stability of the applicant’s livelihood.

⑤ Being Able to Renounce the Applicant’s Current Nationality (Prevention of Dual Nationality)

As a general rule, an applicant for naturalization must be able to relinquish their current nationality and acquire Japanese nationality exclusively.

The system and procedures for renouncing nationality vary by country, so it is important to confirm the applicable requirements in advance based on the applicant’s current nationality.

Because the system and procedures for renouncing nationality differ from country to country, they should be confirmed before submitting the application.

⑥ Presenting No Threat to Japan’s National Interests or Public Safety (Constitutional Compliance Requirement)

Applicants must not advocate the violent overthrow of the Government of Japan or have formed or joined an organization that advocates such activities.

This requirement is generally not an issue for most people living in Japan, but it is one of the naturalization requirements prescribed by the Nationality Act.

Who Is Eligible for Naturalization?

Not every foreign national is eligible to apply for naturalization.

The Nationality Act permits naturalization for applicants who meet certain conditions, and some requirements may be relaxed depending on factors such as residence history and family relationships.

Determining which category applies to your circumstances is the first step in the naturalization application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I apply for naturalization without permanent residence?
A. Yes. You may apply for naturalization even if you are not a permanent resident, provided that you meet the requirements prescribed by the Nationality Act.

Q2. Is Japanese-language proficiency required?
A. Yes. Applicants are generally expected to have sufficient Japanese-language ability to manage everyday life without significant difficulty.

Q3. What happens to my current nationality after naturalization?
A. As a general rule, applicants who acquire Japanese nationality through naturalization are required to renounce their current nationality. The applicable system and procedures for renouncing nationality vary by country.

Q4. How long does the naturalization process take?
A. In many cases, the process takes approximately one year from the date of application until approval.

Q5. Can I still be naturalized if I have traffic violations or unpaid taxes?
A. It depends on the nature and seriousness of the circumstances. Conduct and tax payment history are reviewed during the examination, so it is important to confirm and address any issues before applying.

Common Reasons Naturalization Applications Are Denied

Submitting the required documents does not guarantee approval of a naturalization application. An application may be denied in circumstances such as the following:

　・Problems concerning the applicant’s conduct, such as repeated traffic violations or a criminal record

　・Unpaid taxes, pension contributions, or health insurance premiums

　・An unstable financial or living situation

　・Missing or inconsistent application documents

　・Insufficient Japanese-language ability

　・False information in the application

Approval or denial is determined after a comprehensive review of the applicant’s residence history, employment history, family relationships, livelihood, conduct, and other relevant circumstances.
The outcome may also be affected by how the supporting documents are organized and how the applicant’s circumstances are demonstrated.
If you have any concerns or have previously had a naturalization application denied, we recommend consulting a specialist before applying.