How to get Citizenship in Japan: A Comprehensive Guide

Japanese citizenship is obtained through a legal process called naturalization (帰化, kika), governed by Japan's Nationality Act (国籍法, kokusekiho).

As of April 1, 2026, the general residency requirement for naturalization is 10 consecutive years of legal residence in Japan, following an administrative change announced by the Ministry of Justice on March 27, 2026.

Applicants must also be at least 18 years old, demonstrate financial independence, have a clean record, and agree to hold only Japanese citizenship. Reduced pathways apply for spouses of Japanese nationals and certain other cases. This guide covers the full requirements, application steps, and what changes the April 2026 reform introduced.

For more details about Japanese citizenship, please visit the Japan Ministry of Justice here.

Can a foreigner get citizenship in Japan?

From Discover Nikkei

Important update for 2026:

Japan's Ministry of Justice announced on March 27, 2026 that the standard residency requirement for naturalization doubles from 5 years to 10 years, effective April 1, 2026. Tax record review was also extended from 1 year to 5 years, and social insurance payment records are now reviewed over a 2-year window. These changes apply to all new applications. Reduced pathways for individuals with a japanese spouse and other special cases remain in place. If you are currently 5 to 9 years into your Japan residency and were planning to apply under the old rules, contact your regional Legal Affairs Bureau directly to understand how the new standards affect your specific case.

What happens to applications already in progress?

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that applications submitted before April 1, 2026 but not yet decided, will be assessed under the new 10-year standard, not the old five-year rule.

If your application is currently mid-process, contact your regional Legal Affairs Bureau directly to confirm how the new screening standards apply to your case.

People who were planning to apply based on the old five-year timeline and have not yet submitted should reassess their expected application date and ensure their tax and social insurance records are clean for the full extended review window.

Obtaining Japanese citizenship: the basics

Foreign nationals in Japan obtain Japanese citizenship through naturalization. The general requirements for Japanese naturalization are as follows:

• Maintain continuous residence in Japan for at least 10 years (as of April 1, 2026)

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old

There are other requirements, which will be covered a little later.

Is it difficult to get Japanese citizenship?

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, 14,103 people applied for naturalization in Japan in 2025, with 9,258 approved.

The historical approval rate for completed applications is around 90%, which suggests that the majority of rejections happen before formal submission rather than after.

The most common reason for rejection at the pre-application stage is incomplete compliance with tax and social insurance records. Under the new April 2026 standards, screening now covers 5 years of tax records and 2 years of social insurance records, making compliance history more important than ever.

What do you get when you become a Japanese citizen?

The two main reasons people will become Japanese citizens are to obtain a Japanese passport and be able to vote in Japan.

The Japanese passport is known to be one of the strongest in the world. It gives holders access to approximately 187 to 194 countries and territories without a prior visa, depending on the index consulted, making it one of the most powerful travel documents in the world.

Additionally, if you are already living in Japan and are staying for the long term, such as for retirement, being able to vote allows you to have a voice in your local government. 

Permanent residency vs citizenship in Japan

Both PR in Japan and citizenship allow foreigners to live in Japan permanently.

However, the main difference is that the former allows you to keep your other citizenships in other countries, while the latter requires you to have only Japanese citizenship. 

Additionally, the process for each is slightly different. You do not need to know Japanese or undergo an interview when applying for PR.

4 points to know about Japanese citizenship

There are 4 key points to know when you become a Japanese citizen:

1. No dual citizenship: The Japanese government does not allow dual citizenship. Applicants will need to renounce their previous nationality.

2. Residency requirement: As of April 1, 2026, the general naturalization track requires 10 continuous years of residence in Japan. Reduced pathways exist for spouses of Japanese nationals, applicants born in Japan, and special permanent residents.

3. Legal and financial stability: Good conduct, stable income, and financial assets to support yourself.

4. Language proficiency: There is no explicit language requirement, but having basic or conversational knowledge will help you through the process.

How to get citizenship in Japan

Here, we go over how to get Japanese citizenship.

Japanese citizenship requirements

To acquire Japanese nationality, you will need to:

1. Must have lived continuously in Japan for at least 10 years (general track). Reduced residency requirements apply for spouses of Japanese nationals, applicants born in Japan, and special permanent residents. See the reduced pathways section below for details.

2. Must be at least 18 years old and considered a legal adult in your home country

3. Have a good moral character

4. Demonstrate financial independence

5. Agree to hold only Japanese citizenship

6. Respect the Japanese Constitution

Reduced residency pathways for citizenship in Japan

Japan's April 2026 reform tightened the general naturalization track but preserved reduced residency pathways for specific situations.

If you are married to a Japanese national, you may qualify after 3 years of marriage plus 1 year of continuous residence in Japan, or after 3 continuous years of residence in Japan if you have been married for at least 3 years.

Applicants born in Japan to legally resident parents require only 3 years of continuous residence. Special permanent residents (特別永住者) retain a 3-year pathway. Former Japanese nationals and their children require only 1 year of residence. The expanded tax and social insurance compliance requirements apply to all tracks regardless of which pathway you use.

Additionally, a child can hold Japanese nationality if one of their birth parents is a Japanese national. They can retain Japanese nationality and be granted citizenship but must choose one nationality by age 20. This deadline was updated from age 22 to age 20 following Japan's civil code reform of April 2022, which lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18.

Steps to acquire Japanese citizenship

Step 1: Contact your local Legal Affairs Bureau

Make a reservation for an interview date. They will then review your case for naturalization in Japan.

If there is a high chance of Japanese naturalization, they will tell you the documents you need.

Step 2. Submit the required documents

You will need to prepare:

• Application for Naturalization Permission (with a 5cm x 5cm photograph of the applicant)

• Documents describing general information about relatives

• Written purpose statement for naturalization

• Resume

• Documents of your finances

• Documents of your business activities

• Copy of residence certificate (住民票, juminhyo)

• Documents that prove your nationality

• Documents that prove the relationship with your parents

• Documents that prove tax payment

• Documents that prove income

• Documents that prove residence history

Some documents will be from Japan, while others will be from your home country. So, gathering these documents is the most tedious part when applying for Japanese citizenship.

Additionally, any documents that are not in Japanese will need a translation.

Your caseworker will give you all the details to ensure your application succeeds. 

Step 3. Interview

It will take about 2 months for your application to be accepted. 

Once so, you will go through an interview process to verify you are the person who submitted their documents such as:

• Why did you come to Japan?

• Why do you want to become Japanese?

• Can you explain in detail what you do for work?

• What are your plans for when your parents age and need care?

Depending on the bureau, the interviewer will also state whether they need to do a home visit.

Step 4. Review

More waiting!

At this step, your naturalization application will be sent to the Minister of Justice, where everything will be examined more closely. 

If necessary, they will contact you for any additional documents.

Additionally, you will need to contact the number provided if your contact information, civil status, employment, etc., has changed.

It can take over 6-10 months to hear the results of this step.

Step 5: Approval and naturalization ceremony

Once you get your approval, you are now a Japanese citizen.

There's a little ceremony, and you'll receive some papers to submit to your city office, where you can create a new koseki with your new status. Then you're done.

Well, sort of.

You'll need to update your name and nationality on everything you're registered with, such as your bank account. 

Is dual citizenship allowed in Japan?

According to the Japanese Nationality Act, dual citizenship is not permitted for adults in Japan. When you naturalise as a Japanese citizen, you are required to renounce your previous citizenship. Even if your home country permits dual citizenship, you must comply with Japan's requirement when applying for Japanese nationality.

It is worth noting that the prohibition is formally classified as a duty of effort (努力義務, doryoku-gimu), meaning there are no automatic criminal penalties for non-compliance. In practice, many people born with dual citizenship quietly retain both. However, for anyone naturalising as an adult through the standard process, the Legal Affairs Bureau will require documentation of renunciation as part of the application.

Alternatives to becoming a Japanese citizen

While nothing compares to having Japanese citizenship, some alternatives are similar to having one.

a) Permanent residency: Long-term living in Japan

When you have PR in Japan, you can live and work there without changing your citizenship.

PR in Japan still has its caveats, such as:

• You will not receive a Japanese passport

• You can not vote in local elections

• You have to have a special re-entry form when leaving Japan temporarily

Additionally, you will need to renew your PR card every 7 years.

b) Business manager visa: Japan citizenship by investment

Other countries, such as Antigua & Barbuda and Austria, allow citizenship by investment, which is when an individual makes investments that benefit the country economically, such as starting a business or making a donation to public projects. 

At this time, Japan citizenship through investment does not exist. However, you can become a Japanese resident with an investor visa or a business manager visa. With these visas, you can establish and manage a business in Japan during the visa validity.

When you stay in Japan for long enough, you can be eligible to gain Japanese citizenship or PR in Japan.

Frequently asked questions

Does marrying a Japanese give citizenship?

No. Marrying a Japanese national does not automatically grant citizenship. It does, however, give you access to a reduced naturalization pathway. You can apply for citizenship after 3 years of marriage plus 1 year of continuous residence in Japan, or after 3 continuous years of residence in Japan if you have been married for at least 3 years. The full 10-year general residency requirement does not apply on the marriage track. You must still meet the other standard requirements, including financial independence, good conduct, and agreement to hold only Japanese citizenship. The minimum age for all applicants is 18.

Do you have to speak Japanese to become a citizen?

While not a legal requirement, knowing Japanese will help you fully understand the process and requirements for the naturalization process.

Will I lose my US citizenship if I become a citizen of Japan?

Japan requires you to renounce your US citizenship as part of the naturalization process. However, the United States does not automatically strip your citizenship when you naturalize elsewhere. US law permits its citizens to hold foreign nationalities. If you wish to formally give up your US citizenship, you must take separate active steps with US authorities, such as signing a Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN) at a US embassy or consulate. Many people who naturalize as Japanese citizens do not complete this step on the US side. You should consult both an immigration lawyer and the nearest US consulate for guidance specific to your situation.

Does Japan allow dual citizenship with the US?

Japanese law does not permit adults to hold dual citizenship. When a foreign national naturalises as Japanese citizen, they are required to renounce their previous nationality, including a US citizenship. When a Japanese national voluntarily acquires a foreign citizenship, they are considered under Japanese law to have lost their Japanese citizenship at that moment. In both directions, Japan treats citizenship as exclusive. The practical reality is more nuanced, as explained in the "Is dual citizenship allowed in Japan?" section above, but the legal position is clear: Japan does not recognize dual citizenship for adults who acquire nationality voluntarily.

Can I apply for Japanese citizenship on a student visa?

Yes. You can apply for Japanese citizenship while in Japan on a student visa, provided you meet all the required conditions. Your visa status matters less than your overall residence history. The Local Legal Affairs Bureau examines whether your total period of continuous legal residence meets the threshold for your naturalization track, whether your tax payments and social insurance are up to date, and whether you have upright conduct and financial independence. Student visa periods count toward the residency requirement as long as your stay was continuous and legal.

Can a child born abroad to a Japanese parent acquire Japanese nationality?

Yes. A child born abroad to at least one Japanese parent can acquire Japanese nationality by descent. If the parents are married, the child acquires Japanese nationality automatically at birth. If the Japanese parent is the father and the parents are not married, the father must acknowledge the child before birth for Japanese nationality to be granted at birth. For children born abroad who acquire both Japanese nationality and a foreign nationality at birth, a parent must file a notification of reservation of Japanese nationality within three months of birth. If this step is missed, the child may lose Japanese nationality retroactively. Children with dual nationality must choose one nationality by age 20 if they acquired both before age 18, or within two years if the second nationality was acquired after age 18.

In closing

Now you know how to get citizenship in Japan. While Japan does not allow dual citizenship, having Japanese citizenship allows you to have a stable and long-term option to live and work in Japan, along with a strong passport to travel and the ability to vote.

For further details, consult the Japan Ministry of Justice.