Japan does offer citizenship to foreigners through a well-defined naturalization process. Even so, obtaining Japanese nationality requires meeting strict requirements and renouncing any other citizenship.
Other than naturalization, common pathways to obtain Japanese citizenship include birth, marriage, and notification.
In this guide, we will discuss various aspects of Japanese citizenship, such as:
- How to obtain Japanese citizenship
- Japanese citizenship by birth
- Japanese citizenship by notification
- Japanese citizenship by marriage
- Japanese citizenship criteria
Additionally, we will also cover aspects like the pros and cons of Japanese citizenship and the details related to dual citizenship.
This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the nationality acquisition procedure and be helpful for those willing to become Japanese nationals.
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Does Japan give citizenship to foreigners?
Yes, Japan grants citizenship to foreigners through procedures administered by the Ministry of Justice.
Foreign nationals can become Japanese citizens through naturalization by meeting specific requirements like residency, financial stability, good character, etc.
The Japanese Nationality Act of 1950 governs all citizenship matters and defines clear pathways for foreigners to acquire Japanese nationality.
Japanese Citizenship Benefits and Drawbacks
Key Benefits:
- Japanese citizenship provides numerous advantages, including indefinite residence rights, visa-free travel to 190+ countries, voting rights, access to social security benefits, and unrestricted employment opportunities.
- Citizens can obtain Japanese passports, ranked among the world’s most powerful, facilitating international travel and business.
Major Drawbacks:
- Applicants must renounce their original nationality, potentially losing connections to their home countries.
- The naturalization process requires extensive documentation, lengthy processing times, and substantial integration efforts.
- Some individuals may face higher tax obligations on worldwide income as Japanese citizens.
Does Japan allow dual citizenship?
Japan does not officially allow dual citizenship and maintains strict policies requiring individuals to choose a single nationality.
Under Article 14 of the Nationality Law, dual citizenship holders must select one nationality by age 20 if they acquired dual status before age 18.
If the dual citizenship status has been obtained after age 18, they must do it within two years.
The law technically prohibits dual citizenship, but enforcement remains inconsistent, with many individuals unofficially retaining multiple nationalities.
This is primarily due to limited citizenship detection mechanisms.
The Japanese government requires applicants for naturalization to agree to relinquish their original citizenship upon gaining Japanese nationality.
Anyhow, enforcement varies significantly, and there have been minimal cases where authorities actively pursued dual citizens to force nationality selection.
How to become a Japanese citizen
Foreigners can acquire Japanese citizenship through several pathways: naturalization, marriage to a Japanese citizen, birth to Japanese parents, or ancestral connections.
Each route has specific requirements that applicants must fulfill before gaining nationality.
How to get Japanese citizenship by marriage
Foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens may be eligible for a simplified naturalization pathway under Japan’s Nationality Act.
Normally, standard naturalization requires five years of continuous residence and other prerequisites.
However, under Article 7, spouses of Japanese citizens can apply without meeting the standard five-year residency rule if:
- Resided continuously in Japan for three years (regardless of marriage length) and currently reside in Japan
(Or)
- Been married for three years or more and have lived together in Japan for at least one year
Applicants must still satisfy other core requirements.
The simplified route does not waive the need to prove a genuine marriage.
Applicants must provide evidence of a stable and authentic spousal relationship, along with proof of integration into Japanese society.
In summary, the marriage-based pathway offers one of the most accessible routes to Japanese citizenship for eligible foreign spouses.
This is only if they meet the specific residence or marriage-duration thresholds and fulfill the standard naturalization criteria.
How to get Japanese citizenship by birth
Japan adheres to a jus sanguinis system of nationality.
This means that children born to at least one Japanese parent automatically receive Japanese citizenship at birth, regardless of whether they are born.
Therefore, being born on Japanese soil to foreign parents does not confer citizenship by default.
A child born in Japan to non-Japanese parents must rely on their parents’ nationality, and they will not acquire Japanese citizenship under ordinary circumstances.
There is, however, a narrowly defined exception.
If a child is born in Japan to parents who are stateless or whose nationality is unknown, that child may become a Japanese national.
Even so, this is not automatic at birth.
Under Article 8(4) of the Nationality Law, stateless children can apply for nationality via a simplified naturalization.
For this, they must have resided in Japan continuously for at least three years.
This provision aims to prevent statelessness, aligning partially with international norms despite Japan not fully acceding to the 1961 UN Statelessness Convention.
If Japanese citizens have children abroad, they must notify the Japanese authorities within three months of the birth if they wish to preserve the child’s Japanese nationality.
This is usually done via birth registration at a local Japanese embassy or consulate.
If this notification is not submitted within the allotted time, the child’s claim to Japanese nationality may lapse.
How to get Japanese citizenship by ancestry
Japanese citizenship by ancestry is available only to individuals with Japanese parents, not grandparents or more distant relatives.
The ancestry connection must be direct, i.e., having a Japanese grandparent or great-grandparent alone does not qualify someone for citizenship.
Individuals born to Japanese parents overseas who lost their nationality due to administrative issues can reclaim Japanese citizenship through special procedures.
Fourth-generation Japanese descendants may qualify for designated activity status but cannot directly claim citizenship through ancestry alone.
How to get Japanese citizenship by naturalization
Under Article 5 of Japan’s Nationality Law, regular naturalization requires six core criteria:
- Applicants must have resided continuously in Japan for at least five years
- Be 18 or older (having full legal capacity per their home country)
- Exhibit good conduct
- Be financially self-sufficient (either on their own or through a spouse/relatives)
- Be prepared to renounce any other citizenship
- Have never participated in violent or anti-constitutional activities
The application is submitted through a Legal Affairs Bureau, which conducts extensive document verification, interviews, inspections, and background checks.
Japanese law doesn’t specify an exact language test.
Anyhow, applicants are generally expected to demonstrate oral and written Japanese proficiency.
The proficiency should be equivalent to an elementary school level (roughly JLPT N4/N5), often assessed during interviews or caseworker review.
From submission to final approval, processing typically spans 12 to 24 months.
After the final approval, the applicant’s name will be published in the government gazette.
Some cases might span around 18 months or longer, especially depending on the bureau and completeness of documentation.
How to get Japanese citizenship by investment
Japan does not offer direct citizenship by investment programs like some other countries.
However, foreign investors can obtain Business Manager visas by investing at least ¥5 million (approximately $34,000) in Japanese businesses.
This pathway provides residency status that can eventually lead to permanent residence after 10 years and citizenship eligibility after five years of residence.
Investment-based residency requires active business management rather than passive investment.
Investors must establish viable businesses, hire employees, and maintain physical office spaces in Japan.
The Business Manager visa offers a legitimate pathway to eventual citizenship but requires substantial time and business commitment.
Japanese Citizenship Process
Japanese Citizenship Requirements
Standard naturalization requirements according to Article 5 consist of:
- Continuous residence in Japan for five years with a valid visa status
- Age 18 or older
- Good moral character with no criminal record
- Financial self-sufficiency
- Willingness to renounce other citizenships
- Basic Japanese language proficiency.
Applicants must demonstrate continuous physical presence in Japan annually and cannot have significant absences.
Additional factors taken into consideration are:
- Tax payment history
- Pension contributions
- Integration into Japanese society
- Absence of affiliations with organized crime or anti-government groups
For certain applicants, some requirements are eased under Articles 6–8.
For spouses of Japanese nationals (Article 7):
- ≥3 years’ residency
(Or)
- ≥3 years of marriage and ≥1 year living in Japan
For children of Japanese nationals (Article 6 & 8):
- Natural children with ≥3 years’ residency
- Stateless children born in Japan may qualify after ≥3 years’ residency.
- Adopted minors of Japanese nationals with ≥1 year in Japan
People with especially meritorious service to Japan may be naturalized with Diet approval (Article 9).
Children of Japanese nationals or those who lost Japanese nationality may have requirements relaxed considerably, including no minimum residency in some cases.
The Ministry of Justice evaluates each application individually, considering the applicant’s overall suitability for Japanese citizenship.
Japanese Citizenship Rules
Japanese nationality law operates under strict principles designed to maintain single citizenship and ensure meaningful integration.
The law distinguishes between:
- Ordinary naturalization
- Simplified naturalization for specific categories of applicants
- Extraordinary naturalization for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Japan
Simplified naturalization applies to spouses and children of Japanese nationals, individuals born in Japan, and long-term residents meeting specific criteria.
This process relaxes certain requirements like residence duration while maintaining other standards.
Extraordinary naturalization granted by Diet approval, though legally possible, has never been granted in practice.
Approval requires Minister of Justice approval and is published in the government gazette (effectively sealing nationality).
FAQs
How strong is a Japanese passport?
The Japanese passport consistently ranks among the world’s most powerful travel documents.
According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Japan ranks second globally, providing access to 193 destinations.
This represents exceptional travel freedom for Japanese citizens, facilitating international business, tourism, and personal mobility.
Japanese passport strength reflects the country’s diplomatic relationships, economic stability, and international reputation.
The passport’s power enables citizens to travel freely to major destinations such as the United States, EU countries, and most Asian nations without prior visa arrangements.
How to get a PR in Japan?
Permanent residence in Japan typically requires 10 years of continuous residence, including five years under work-related visa status
However, expedited pathways exist for:
- Highly skilled professionals (1-3 years)
- Spouses of Japanese citizens or permanent residents (1 year after 3-year marriage)
- Refugees (5 years)
Permanent residents enjoy unrestricted work rights, indefinite residence status, and easier access to financial services while maintaining their original nationality.
This status provides many citizenship benefits without requiring nationality change, making it attractive for foreigners seeking long-term stability in Japan.
Does Japan have a golden visa?
Japan does not offer a traditional golden visa program providing direct residency for investment.
Instead, the country provides several investment-related visa options, which include the Business Manager visa for entrepreneurs investing ¥5 million or more.
The Highly Skilled Professional visa offers points-based residence for qualified professionals.
Recent developments include the planned Angel Investor 5-Year Visa for angel investors making substantial investments in Japanese startups.
What is Japanese citizenship by notification?
Foreign-born children acknowledged by a Japanese parent who was Japanese at the time of their birth can acquire Japanese citizenship by notification.
This helps bypass the naturalization process.
Under Article 3 of the Nationality Law, a child under 18 years old (formerly under 20) who is formally recognized by a Japanese parent can become a Japanese national immediately upon filing a notification with the Minister of Justice.
This is typically done via the Regional Legal Affairs Bureau in Japan or a Japanese embassy/consulate abroad.
This is possible even if the parent is alive and still Japanese, or was a Japanese national at the time of their death.
This notification must be submitted by the child’s legal guardian if the child is under 15.
The process is straightforward but subject to penalties like imprisonment or fines if the information provided is false.
This pathway enables children of Japanese parents to gain citizenship quickly and efficiently without fulfilling residency or other naturalization requirements.
Can you live in Japan permanently without citizenship?
Yes, foreigners can live permanently in Japan through permanent residence status without becoming citizens.
Permanent residents enjoy many citizenship benefits, inclusive of unrestricted work rights, indefinite residence, and access to social services while retaining their original nationality.
Many foreigners choose permanent residence over citizenship to maintain connections with their home countries while securing their future in Japan.
Key Takeaways
- Japanese citizenship is available to foreigners through naturalization, though the process requires meeting strict requirements and typically takes 1-2 years to complete.
- The standard pathway requires five years of continuous residence, while spouses of Japanese citizens can apply after three years of marriage and residence.
- Japan prohibits dual citizenship, requiring applicants to renounce their original nationality.
- The Japanese passport ranks among the world’s most powerful.
- Permanent residence offers an alternative for those seeking long-term stability without changing citizenship, providing most benefits of citizenship while maintaining original nationality.
- Investment-based routes exist through business visas but require active business management rather than passive investment.
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