Japan

Last Updated: 2026-03-19

Official Portal: https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji06.html

Embassy Finder: https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html

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Quick Facts

Residency for citizenship	5 years continuously domiciled in Japan (general requirement)
Language requirement	No formal test, but interview conducted in Japanese; approximately elementary school level (JLPT N3-N4 equivalent) expected
Processing time	8-12 months (can take up to 18 months)
Application fee	Free (JPY 0)
Dual citizenship	No

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Dual Citizenship

No — Japan does not recognize dual citizenship for adults. Japanese nationals who acquire a foreign nationality are expected to choose one by age 22 (or within 2 years of acquiring dual nationality if after age 20). Foreign nationals who naturalize as Japanese must renounce all other nationalities. In practice, enforcement has historically been limited, but the legal requirement is clear and Japan has shown increasing interest in documentation compliance.

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Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli)

Japan does not apply jus soli. Birth on Japanese territory does not confer Japanese nationality. A child born in Japan to two non-Japanese parents does not acquire Japanese nationality, even if the child would otherwise be stateless (with one narrow exception below).

Sole exception — prevention of statelessness:

• A child born in Japan whose parents are both unknown or stateless acquires Japanese nationality at birth (Nationality Act, Article 2, Item 3)
• This is an extremely narrow provision applying only to foundlings or children of confirmed stateless parents

This makes Japan one of the strictest countries in the world regarding birthright citizenship.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Japanese nationality is acquired exclusively through descent. Under the Nationality Act (as amended in 1985 and subsequently):

• A child acquires Japanese nationality at birth if either parent is a Japanese national at the time of the child’s birth
• This applies regardless of where the child is born (inside or outside Japan)
• The child acquires Japanese nationality automatically; no application is required

Historical notes:

• Before 1985: Japanese nationality was transmitted only through the father (patrilineal system). Children of Japanese mothers and foreign fathers did not automatically acquire Japanese nationality
• The 1985 amendment (effective January 1, 1985) introduced equal transmission through either parent, following a Supreme Court ruling
• Transitional provisions allowed children born before 1985 to a Japanese mother and foreign father to acquire Japanese nationality by notification (deadline was January 1, 1988)

Children born out of wedlock:

• If the mother is Japanese: the child acquires Japanese nationality automatically at birth
• If the father is Japanese and the mother is foreign: the child acquires Japanese nationality only if the father acknowledged paternity (ninchi) before the child’s birth (prenatal acknowledgment). If acknowledgment occurs after birth, the child may acquire nationality by notification (todoke) under Article 3 of the Nationality Act, following a landmark 2008 Supreme Court decision that struck down the previous requirement that the parents must have married

Obligation to choose (dual nationality):

• A person who acquires Japanese nationality by descent AND another nationality (e.g., born in the US to a Japanese parent and a US parent, acquiring both by birth) must choose one nationality before age 22
• If they acquired dual nationality before age 20, the deadline is age 22
• If acquired at age 20 or later, within 2 years

By Adoption

Adoption does not automatically confer Japanese nationality. Unlike many Western countries, the adoption of a foreign child by Japanese parents does not result in automatic acquisition of Japanese nationality.

However, adoption can facilitate naturalization:

• An adopted child of a Japanese citizen may naturalize with reduced requirements (3 years of residence instead of 5, and the domicile requirement may be relaxed)
• Special adoption (tokubetsu yoshi engumi), which severs legal ties with the biological parents, carries stronger grounds for simplified naturalization than ordinary adoption

By Marriage

Marriage to a Japanese citizen does not automatically confer nationality. However, it significantly reduces the naturalization requirements:

Requirement	Standard	Married to Japanese National
Continuous domicile in Japan	5 years	3 years of residence in Japan AND currently domiciled in Japan, OR married for 3+ years and residing in Japan for 1+ year
Age	20+ (18+ since April 2022)	18+ (no age requirement under the marriage pathway — the age requirement is waived)
Livelihood	Self-sufficient	Can rely on spouse’s income
Good conduct	Required	Required
Renounce other nationality	Required	Required
No intent to overthrow government	Required	Required

The marriage pathway is the most commonly used route for foreign spouses to naturalize in Japan.

By Naturalization (Residency)

Naturalization (kika) is the process by which foreign nationals become Japanese citizens. It is governed by Articles 4-10 of the Nationality Act and administered by the Ministry of Justice (Legal Affairs Bureau).

Category	Domicile Requirement	Age	Good Conduct	Livelihood	Renunciation	Constitutional Loyalty
Standard (Article 5)	5 years continuously domiciled in Japan	18+	Yes	Self-sufficient (or spouse/family can support)	Must renounce all other nationalities	Must not advocate overthrow of Japanese government
Spouse of Japanese national (Article 7)	3 years residence + domiciled in Japan; OR married 3+ years and 1 year domiciled	Waived	Yes	May rely on spouse	Must renounce	Yes
Child of Japanese national (Article 6)	3 years domiciled in Japan	Waived	Yes (if applicable)	May rely on parent	Must renounce	Yes
Born in Japan (formerly Japanese) (Article 6)	3 years domiciled in Japan	Waived	Yes	May rely on family	Must renounce	Yes
Special Permanent Resident (Article 5, simplified)	5 years (but practically applied more flexibly)	18+	Yes	Self-sufficient	Must renounce	Yes
Person born in Japan with no nationality (Article 8)	Domiciled in Japan (continuously for 3+ years)	Waived	Yes	May be waived	N/A (stateless)	Yes
Extraordinary merit to Japan (Article 9)	Can be waived entirely	Can be waived	Discretionary	Discretionary	Must renounce	Yes

Application process:

1. Preliminary consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau (houmukyoku) nearest to the applicant’s domicile
2. Preparation of extensive documentation (see Practical Guide below)
3. Formal application submission at the Legal Affairs Bureau
4. Investigation period: Ministry of Justice reviews documents, conducts home visit, workplace verification, and a personal interview
5. Interview conducted in Japanese — there is no formal language test, but the applicant must demonstrate ability to communicate and understand basic Japanese (approximately JLPT N3-N4 level, or elementary school Japanese)
6. Decision by the Minister of Justice (published in the Official Gazette)
7. If approved, applicant registers at the municipal office (shiyakusho) as a Japanese national

Key practical notes:

• Naturalization is free — there is no application fee (one of the only countries in the world with no fee)
• The process is highly discretionary — the Minister of Justice has broad power to grant or refuse
• Approval rates are very high (approximately 99% of completed applications are approved, though many withdraw during the lengthy preparation process)
• Applicants must adopt a name written in Japanese characters (kanji, hiragana, or katakana); many applicants choose a Japanese-style name, though this is not legally required — existing foreign names can be transliterated into katakana
• All other nationalities must be renounced before or upon naturalization

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Preferred Pathways

Your Nationality	Standard Requirement	With Preferred Status	Legal Basis
Korean (Special Permanent Resident)	5 years domicile	Simplified naturalization; flexibly applied residency	Nationality Act Art. 5; Special Act on Immigration Control
Chinese (Special Permanent Resident)	5 years domicile	Same as Korean SPR	Nationality Act Art. 5
Brazilian/Peruvian (nikkeijin)	5 years domicile	Long-term resident visa facilitates continuous residence	Immigration Control Act; nikkeijin visa categories
Spouse of Japanese national	5 years domicile	3 years residence or 1 year if married 3+ years	Nationality Act Art. 7
Child of former Japanese national	5 years domicile	3 years domicile, age requirement waived	Nationality Act Art. 6
Any nationality with permanent residence	5 years domicile	PR facilitates meeting livelihood and stability requirements	Nationality Act Art. 5 (practical advantage)

Where Your Passport Opens Doors

Japanese citizens enjoy some of the world’s most extensive visa-free travel:

Country/Territory	Benefit	Details
United States	Visa Waiver Program (ESTA)	90 days visa-free for tourism/business
European Union / Schengen	Visa-free travel	90 days in any 180-day period
United Kingdom	Visa-free travel	Up to 6 months as a visitor
Canada	Visa-free travel	Up to 6 months
Australia	eVisitor / ETA	Electronic authorization for short visits
South Korea	Visa-free travel	90 days; additional reciprocal arrangements
Singapore	Visa-free travel	30 days
Brazil	Visa-free travel	90 days (reciprocal agreement)
ASEAN countries	Visa-free or visa-on-arrival	Varies: 14-90 days depending on country
Most of the world	Visa-free or visa-on-arrival	Approximately 193 countries and territories

The Japanese passport consistently ranks as one of the top 1-3 most powerful passports in the world, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 193 countries and territories.

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Special Clauses & Programs

Special Permanent Residents (Zainichi)

Special Permanent Residents (tokubetsu eijusha) are a unique category in Japanese immigration law, primarily comprising ethnic Koreans and their descendants who remained in Japan after World War II:

Historical background:

• During Japan’s colonial period (1910-1945), millions of Koreans and significant numbers of Taiwanese and Chinese were brought to or migrated to Japan
• After Japan’s defeat in 1945, these former colonial subjects lost Japanese nationality (which was stripped by the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1952 and subsequent Japanese government interpretation)
• Many remained in Japan, creating a large population of long-term foreign residents

Current status:

• Governed by the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality on the Basis of the Treaty of Peace with Japan (1991)
• As of the 2020s, approximately 290,000 Special Permanent Residents remain, the vast majority of Korean descent (often called “Zainichi Koreans”)
• The number declines each year as older generations pass away and younger generations naturalize or obtain regular permanent residence

Rights and characteristics:

• Virtually unlimited right to reside and work in Japan
• Cannot be deported except for serious criminal offenses (much stronger protection than regular permanent residents)
• Must carry a Special Permanent Resident Certificate (replaced the former Alien Registration Card)
• Do not have voting rights (national or local)
• Pass their SPR status to children born in Japan if the birth is registered within 60 days
• May naturalize with somewhat relaxed practical application of requirements

Path to citizenship:

• SPRs may naturalize under the standard 5-year requirement, though in practice the process is often more flexibly administered
• Naturalization requires renouncing Korean (or other) nationality
• Many Zainichi choose not to naturalize due to identity, cultural, and political reasons
• Some maintain nationality of the Republic of Korea; others are registered as “Joseon” (a legacy designation from pre-division Korea, not equivalent to North Korean nationality)

Nikkeijin Visa Programs

Nikkeijin (Japanese descendants abroad) benefit from special immigration categories:

Long-Term Resident Visa (teijusha):

• Available to second-generation (nisei) and third-generation (sansei) descendants of Japanese nationals
• Primarily used by Japanese-Brazilians, Japanese-Peruvians, and other Latin American nikkeijin
• No restriction on employment activities
• Renewable, and can lead to permanent residence after continuous residence

Historical context:

• Large-scale Japanese emigration to Brazil (1908-1970s), Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, and other Latin American countries created substantial nikkeijin populations
• The 1990 revision of Japan’s Immigration Control Act created the Long-Term Resident visa category, enabling nikkeijin to work in Japan
• During the 2008 financial crisis, Japan offered “return assistance” payments to unemployed nikkeijin (conditional on not returning to Japan for a specified period), which was controversial
• Today, the Brazilian community in Japan numbers approximately 200,000+, concentrated in industrial cities like Hamamatsu, Toyota, and Oizumi

Pathway to citizenship:

• Nikkeijin on Long-Term Resident visas can satisfy the 5-year domicile requirement for naturalization
• Those who have a Japanese parent or grandparent may qualify for reduced requirements under Article 6 of the Nationality Act
• Must renounce Brazilian, Peruvian, or other nationality upon naturalization

Declaration of Choice of Nationality

Japanese nationals who hold dual nationality (typically acquired at birth) are required to choose one nationality:

• Deadline: Before age 22 (if dual nationality acquired before age 20), or within 2 years (if acquired at age 20 or later)
• How to choose Japan: File a “Declaration of Choice of Nationality” (kokuseki sentaku todoke) at the municipal office, declaring the choice of Japanese nationality and the renunciation of foreign nationality
• How to choose foreign nationality: Renounce Japanese nationality at a Japanese embassy/consulate or municipal office
• Enforcement: The Ministry of Justice may issue a written “catalysis” (demand to choose) with a one-month deadline. Failure to respond results in automatic loss of Japanese nationality. However, in practice, this enforcement mechanism has been used extremely rarely.
• Practical reality: Many dual nationals (particularly Japanese-Americans, Japanese-Brazilians, and others) do not comply with the choice deadline. The Japanese government has not systematically enforced the requirement, though it periodically reaffirms the legal obligation. A court challenge to the dual nationality prohibition was rejected by the Tokyo District Court in 2021.

No Birthright Citizenship for Foreign Children Born in Japan

Children born in Japan to foreign parents receive no immigration benefit from their birth in Japan. They:

• Do not acquire Japanese nationality
• Must obtain a visa (typically dependent on their parents’ status)
• Must leave Japan if their parents’ visa expires
• Have no special pathway to permanent residence or citizenship based on birth in Japan alone

This is a point of significant international discussion, as Japan has a growing population of foreign-born children educated entirely in the Japanese school system.

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Investment Pathways

Citizenship by Investment (CBI)

Japan does not offer citizenship by investment. There is no program that grants Japanese nationality in exchange for financial contribution. Naturalization requires genuine long-term residence and integration.

Golden Visa / Residency by Investment (RBI)

Japan does not have a formal “golden visa” program, but several visa categories facilitate residence for business and investment purposes:

Business Manager Visa (Keiei/Kanri):

• For foreign nationals who establish or manage a business in Japan
• Requirements: invest a minimum of JPY 5 million (approximately USD 35,000) in a business OR employ at least 2 full-time Japanese/permanent resident workers; maintain a physical office in Japan
• Duration: 1, 3, or 5 years (renewable)
• Pathway to permanent residence: after 10 years of continuous residence (may be reduced to 1-3 years under the Highly Skilled Professional points system)
• Pathway to citizenship: after 5 years of continuous domicile

Highly Skilled Professional Visa (HSP):

• Points-based system evaluating academic background, professional experience, annual salary, and age
• 70+ points: eligible for 5-year visa, pathway to PR in 3 years
• 80+ points: pathway to PR in 1 year (one of the fastest PR routes in the world)
• Categories: Advanced Academic Research, Advanced Specialized/Technical, Advanced Business Management
• Salary threshold for business management category: generally JPY 10 million+ (approximately USD 70,000+) for maximum points
• Pathway to citizenship: after meeting 5-year domicile requirement (PR not required for naturalization, but facilitates the process)

Startup Visa (National Strategic Special Zones):

• Available in designated cities (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kobe, and others)
• 6-month to 1-year visa to establish a business
• Must transition to Business Manager visa upon meeting requirements
• Lower initial investment threshold than standard Business Manager visa
• Supported by local government incubator programs

Specified Skilled Worker Visa (tokutei ginou):

• Not an investment visa, but a significant new work visa category (introduced 2019)
• Type 1: 5 years, no family accompaniment, 14 designated industries
• Type 2: renewable, family accompaniment allowed, pathway to PR (expanded in 2023 to 11 industries)

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Business & Entrepreneurship

Japan offers access to the world’s third-largest economy and a highly educated consumer base, but foreign entrepreneurs face significant barriers including language requirements, complex bureaucracy, and a business culture that favors established relationships. The government’s J-Startup initiative is working to change this, and special startup visa programs in designated cities are lowering the entry barrier.

Company Formation

Most common entity type	KK (Kabushiki Kaisha — Stock Company)
Formation timeline	1-2 weeks
Formation cost	JPY 240,000+ (~USD 1,600) for KK; JPY 100,000+ for GK
Minimum capital	JPY 1 (technically, but JPY 5M+ recommended for visa purposes)
Online registration	Partial — requires seal registration and notarization

The KK is Japan’s equivalent of a corporation, preferred for credibility and fundraising. The GK (Godo Kaisha — LLC equivalent) is simpler and cheaper to form. Foreign nationals can own 100% of either. However, you need a registered seal (inkan/hanko) for official documents, and articles of association must be notarized. Having at least JPY 5M (~USD 33K) in capital is recommended for obtaining a Business Manager visa.

Entrepreneur & Startup Visas

Business Manager Visa:

• Must have a registered office in Japan
• Requires JPY 5M+ in capital OR 2+ full-time employees
• 1-year visa initially, renewable (1, 3, or 5 years)
• Must demonstrate active business management
• Path to permanent residence after 10 years (5 with points system)

Startup Visa (Special Zones):

• Available in designated National Strategic Special Zones: Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Aichi, Hiroshima, Sendai, and others
• 6-month to 1-year visa to prepare for Business Manager visa
• Lower initial requirements — business plan review instead of immediate capital/office
• Fukuoka is particularly popular with foreign founders due to its dedicated startup support

Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa:

• Points-based system (academic background, professional experience, salary)
• Fast track to permanent residence: 3 years (70+ points) or 1 year (80+ points)
• Preferential treatment for family and domestic worker accompaniment

Tax Overview

Corporate tax rate	~23% effective (national + local combined ~30%)
Consumption tax	10% (8% on food/beverages)
Capital gains tax	20.315% (national + local)
Personal income tax (top rate)	45% (above JPY 40M) + 10% resident tax
Tax treaty network	75+ countries

Japan’s combined corporate tax rate of approximately 30% is higher than many Asian competitors. However, SMEs (capital under JPY 100M) benefit from a reduced 15% national rate on the first JPY 8M of income. Angel tax incentives provide investors with either a deduction of the full investment amount (minus JPY 2,000) or a deduction from capital gains. Japan does not tax unrealized capital gains (exit tax applies only above JPY 100M in financial assets).

Banking & Financial Infrastructure

• Major banks: MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho (the “megabanks”)
• Business-friendly alternatives: Shinsei Bank, Japan Post Bank
• Stripe is available in Japan (Stripe Japan K.K.)
• No foreign exchange controls (JPY is freely convertible)
• Cash remains widely used, though digital payments (PayPay, Suica/Pasmo) are growing
• Opening a business account as a foreigner can be difficult — many banks require 6+ months of operating history and Japanese language ability
• PayPay (SoftBank/Yahoo) is Japan’s dominant mobile payment platform

Key Programs & Incentives

• J-Startup — government program selecting and supporting promising startups with mentoring, PR, and introductions to corporates and investors
• NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) — grants for technology development and commercialization
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) — free business setup support, temporary office space, and consulting for foreign companies entering Japan
• Fukuoka Startup Cafe — dedicated one-stop support center for foreign entrepreneurs
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Startup Hub — resources, events, and programs for Tokyo-based startups
• Open Innovation contests — major Japanese corporations (Toyota, Sony, SoftBank) run regular startup partnership programs
• Shibuya Startup Support — municipal program in Tokyo’s tech district
• OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology) — deep tech incubator in Okinawa

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Loss of Nationality

Voluntary Renunciation

Japanese citizens may renounce their nationality by filing a notification of renunciation (kokuseki ridatsu todoke):

• Must already hold another nationality (to prevent statelessness)
• Filed at a Japanese embassy/consulate (if abroad) or at the municipal office (if in Japan)
• Takes effect upon acceptance of the notification by the Minister of Justice
• Fee: Free
• Processing time: approximately 1-2 months
• Once renounced, former nationality cannot be easily recovered

Involuntary Loss

Japanese nationality is lost automatically in the following circumstances:

1. Voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality: A Japanese national who voluntarily acquires the nationality of another country (e.g., by naturalization abroad) automatically loses Japanese nationality (Nationality Act, Article 11). This is automatic by operation of law — no notification or administrative action is required.

2. Failure to choose Japanese nationality: If the Ministry of Justice issues a formal demand to choose nationality and the person fails to respond within one month, they automatically lose Japanese nationality. (In practice, this is almost never enforced.)

3. Birth abroad with foreign nationality (without reservation): A child born abroad who acquires both Japanese nationality (by descent) and a foreign nationality (by jus soli) and whose birth is not registered at a Japanese embassy/consulate within 3 months, with a “reservation of Japanese nationality” (kokuseki ryuho todoke), will retroactively lose Japanese nationality from the time of birth. This is a critical deadline that many overseas Japanese parents miss.

4. Renunciation of Japanese nationality (as described above).

Japanese nationality is NOT lost by:

• Residing permanently abroad (as long as nationality was properly registered/reserved)
• Marriage to a foreign national
• Acquiring permanent residence in another country (distinct from acquiring nationality)

Recovery / Resumption

Former Japanese nationals who lost their nationality may be able to recover it:

Re-acquisition by notification (Article 17):

• Available to persons who lost Japanese nationality due to failure to file the “reservation” at birth abroad
• Must be under 20 years of age
• Must be domiciled in Japan
• File a notification with the Ministry of Justice
• Nationality is re-acquired upon filing (no discretionary review)

Naturalization (general):

• Former Japanese nationals who lost nationality by other means (voluntary renunciation, naturalization abroad) may naturalize again
• Reduced requirements under Article 6: 3 years of continuous domicile in Japan (instead of 5)
• Must renounce any foreign nationality acquired
• Subject to standard naturalization discretion

No automatic recovery:

• Unlike some countries, Japan does not allow simple “resumption” of citizenship
• There is no registration route for former citizens to reclaim nationality without meeting residency requirements

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Practical Guide

Documents Needed

The Japanese naturalization application requires one of the most extensive documentation sets of any country in the world. All documents must be submitted in Japanese or with certified Japanese translations.

Naturalization application form (kika kyokasho)

Handwritten statement of reasons/motivation for naturalization (shinsho / doki sho)

Resume/curriculum vitae (rirekisho) covering entire life history

Family register equivalent from country of origin (birth certificate, family registry)

Proof of nationality of country of origin (passport, national ID)

Certificate of residence (juminhyo) from the municipal office

Alien Registration details / Residence Card (zairyu card) — front and back copies

Certificate of items stated in the resident register (juminhyo kisai jiko shomeisho)

Tax payment certificates (nozei shomeisho) — national and local taxes, typically 3 years

Income tax returns (kakutei shinkoku) — 3 years

Withholding tax slips (gensen choshu hyo) — from employer

Pension payment records (nenkin kiroku)

Health insurance certificate

Employment certificate from current employer (zaishoku shomeisho)

Company registration documents (if self-employed or business owner)

Financial statements of company (if self-employed) — 3 years

Bank statements / savings certificates (yokin zanko shomeisho) — all accounts

Property ownership documents (if applicable)

Driving record (unten kiroku shomeisho) — if holding a Japanese driver’s license

Marriage certificate (if married)

Divorce certificate (if previously divorced)

Photographs (5cm x 5cm, taken within 6 months, specific requirements)

Map showing location of residence and workplace (hand-drawn or printed, with distances/landmarks)

Map showing location of any businesses owned

Proof of renunciation or ability to renounce foreign nationality

Certificates from country of origin: birth, marriage, family registry, criminal record (varies by country)

Any other documents the Legal Affairs Bureau officer requests during the consultation process

Note: The Legal Affairs Bureau will specify exact requirements during the preliminary consultation. The list above is representative but not exhaustive — additional documents are frequently requested based on individual circumstances.

Where to Submit

From inside Japan (required):

• Applications are submitted in person at the Legal Affairs Bureau (houmukyoku) with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of domicile
• Major cities have dedicated nationality sections within the Legal Affairs Bureau
• Tokyo: Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau, Kudan-shita (Nationality Section)
• Osaka: Osaka Legal Affairs Bureau
• Preliminary consultation (required before formal application) is also at the houmukyoku
• Multiple visits are typically required: initial consultation, document review, formal submission, interview

From abroad:

• Naturalization applications cannot be submitted from abroad
• The applicant must be physically residing in Japan with a valid residence status
• Japanese embassies and consulates handle nationality-related notifications (renunciation, reservation, choice declaration) but not naturalization applications

Online:

• Japan does not accept online naturalization applications
• The entire process is conducted in person and on paper
• No online status tracking is available

Processing Time

Stage	Estimated Duration
Preliminary consultation and document preparation	2-6 months (multiple visits)
Formal application submission to decision	6-12 months
Home/workplace visit by Legal Affairs Bureau officer	During review period
Interview at Legal Affairs Bureau	During review period
Official Gazette publication (upon approval)	1-2 weeks after decision
Registration at municipal office	Within 1 month of approval
Total estimated time (consultation to completion)	8-18 months

Processing times vary by jurisdiction. Tokyo and Osaka tend to have longer processing times due to higher application volumes. Simpler cases (long-term residents, Japanese spouse) may be processed faster.

Fees

Fee Type	Amount (JPY)
Naturalization application	Free (JPY 0)
Preliminary consultation	Free
Obtaining required documents (certificates, translations)	Varies (typically JPY 30,000-100,000 total for all documents)
Certified translations (if needed)	Varies (JPY 5,000-15,000 per document)
Legal representative (shiho shoshi or attorney)	JPY 150,000-300,000 (optional but common)
Renunciation of foreign nationality (at foreign embassy)	Varies by country
New family register creation (koseki)	Free
My Number card issuance	Free

Japan is one of the very few countries in the world where the government charges no fee for naturalization. The costs involved are entirely for obtaining supporting documents, translations, and optional legal representation. Hiring an immigration attorney or judicial scrivener (shiho shoshi) is common and recommended, especially for applicants with complex histories or limited Japanese language ability.

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Related Countries

• South Korea — shared history; largest source of Special Permanent Residents (Zainichi Koreans); similarly restrictive on dual citizenship
• China — second-largest foreign resident population in Japan; does not recognize dual nationality; historical Special Permanent Resident population
• Brazil — largest nikkeijin diaspora; approximately 200,000+ Brazilians in Japan; Long-Term Resident visa pathway
• Peru — second-largest Latin American nikkeijin population in Japan; similar Long-Term Resident visa access
• Philippines — large and growing foreign resident population in Japan; significant community of Japanese-Filipino children
• United States — significant population of dual Japanese-American nationals (by birth); Status of Forces Agreement covers US military personnel

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Sources

• Nationality Act (Kokuseki-ho), Act No. 147 of 1950 (as amended through 2018)
• Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Shutsunyukoku kanri oyobi nanmin nintei-ho), Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951 (as amended)
• Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality on the Basis of the Treaty of Peace with Japan (1991)
• Ministry of Justice (MOJ), “Procedures for Naturalization” (Kika tetsuzuki)
• Ministry of Justice, Legal Affairs Bureau guidance on nationality matters
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), “Nationality and Koseki (Family Register)”
• Supreme Court of Japan, Nationality Act Article 3 Decision (June 4, 2008) — striking marriage requirement for acknowledgment-based nationality
• Tokyo District Court, Dual Nationality Case Decision (January 21, 2021) — upholding Article 11
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), “Residence Status” and “Special Permanent Residents”
• National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, “Foreign Residents in Japan” (annual statistics)