Embedded Files
Naturalization (帰化, kika) is the legal process by which a foreign national acquires Japanese citizenship. It is governed by Japan's Nationality Act and administered by the Ministry of Justice through Local Legal Affairs Bureaus across Japan.
Important: Japan's naturalization requirements were significantly tightened effective April 1, 2026. The general residency requirement doubled from 5 years to 10 years, and the period over which tax and social insurance records are examined was substantially extended. Anyone who has been planning to apply based on the previous 5-year standard should review the current requirements carefully before taking any steps.
This page reflects the requirements as of April 2026.
📌What Naturalization Gives You
📌What Naturalization Gives You
Naturalization grants full Japanese citizenship, including:
A Japanese passport — one of the most travel-accessible passports in the world
The right to vote and stand for election in Japan
Eligibility for government employment positions restricted to Japanese nationals
Residence in Japan permanently, without any immigration status management
Important trade-off: Japan's Nationality Act requires applicants to renounce their existing nationality upon naturalization. Japan does not formally recognize dual nationality for naturalized citizens. How this requirement is enforced in practice varies depending on the applicant's country of origin, but the legal obligation to renounce remains in place. This is not legal advice — specialist verification is strongly recommended before making any decisions about citizenship.
📌Naturalization vs Permanent Residence
📌Naturalization vs Permanent Residence
📌Eligibility Tracks
📌Eligibility Tracks
📌Core Requirements — All Tracks
📌Core Requirements — All Tracks
The following conditions apply regardless of which eligibility track the applicant falls under. As of April 2026, all of these are assessed with significantly greater scrutiny than in prior years.
📌Application Process
📌Application Process
📌Common Reasons for Rejection
📌Common Reasons for Rejection
Tax or social insurance compliance gaps The most common reason for rejection or withdrawal under the new 2026 screening standards. Even minor gaps — a single late payment, a missed pension contribution during a job change — can result in the application being questioned or rejected. Pre-application compliance review is essential.
Tax or social insurance compliance gaps The most common reason for rejection or withdrawal under the new 2026 screening standards. Even minor gaps — a single late payment, a missed pension contribution during a job change — can result in the application being questioned or rejected. Pre-application compliance review is essential.
Insufficient residence period Applicants who do not clearly meet the 10-year general requirement (or the applicable reduced pathway) will not be accepted at the preliminary consultation stage.
Insufficient residence period Applicants who do not clearly meet the 10-year general requirement (or the applicable reduced pathway) will not be accepted at the preliminary consultation stage.
Criminal record or immigration violations Any history of criminal offenses or past immigration violations is disqualifying.
Criminal record or immigration violations Any history of criminal offenses or past immigration violations is disqualifying.
Language ability insufficient for interview Applicants who cannot conduct a basic Japanese conversation may face difficulties at the interview stage.
Language ability insufficient for interview Applicants who cannot conduct a basic Japanese conversation may face difficulties at the interview stage.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation Missing translations, inconsistent name spellings across documents, or an inadequate reason letter are common procedural issues that delay or derail applications.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation Missing translations, inconsistent name spellings across documents, or an inadequate reason letter are common procedural issues that delay or derail applications.
📌For Those Currently in the 5–9 Year Range
📌For Those Currently in the 5–9 Year Range
If you have been living in Japan for between 5 and 9 years and were planning to apply for naturalization based on the previous 5-year rule, your timeline has changed significantly under the April 2026 reform.
Practical steps to take now:
Pull your tax payment certificates (納税証明書) for each year since 2021 — the 5-year review window now covers this period
Check your pension payment record for the past 2 years and address any gaps through the legitimate catch-up procedures available at your ward office or pension office
Consider whether permanent residence — which does not require renouncing your original nationality — may be a better intermediate step while you accumulate additional years of residence
We recommend a consultation to review your specific situation and advise on the optimal timing and sequence.
📌How We Can Help
📌How We Can Help
Our office supports naturalization applicants with:
Pre-application eligibility review, including tax and pension record assessment
Guidance on document preparation and what to expect at each stage
Drafting the reason for naturalization letter (帰化の動機書) in Japanese
Coordination with the Local Legal Affairs Bureau preliminary consultation process
Advice on sequencing — whether to pursue naturalization directly or obtain permanent residence first
Remote consultation is available, and Stripe payment is accepted for international clients.
Note: naturalization involves legal determinations by the Ministry of Justice. We provide administrative scrivener support for documentation and procedural preparation. For complex cases involving legal questions about nationality, we recommend also consulting a qualified attorney (弁護士). This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
📌Get Started with a Free Consultation
📌Get Started with a Free Consultation
Given the April 2026 changes, we recommend beginning with a consultation to confirm your eligibility, review your compliance record, and assess whether now is the right time to apply — or whether additional preparation is needed first.
Email us first. We will review your residence history, visa status, and compliance record, and provide honest advice on timing and preparation — before any paid commitment.
Initial email consultation: Free First consultation session: 30 minutes, no charge
📩 Contact us: support@maeda-int.com Or use the contact form:
Full consultation session (eligibility assessment and application strategy): JPY 22,000
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse