Naturalization (Japanese Citizenship)
Become Japanese - requires renouncing other citizenship
Overview
⚠️ CRITICAL: Japan does NOT permit dual citizenship. You MUST renounce US citizenship to naturalize. Requirements: • 5 years continuous residence (may increase to 10 years—under consideration) • Age 20+ • Good conduct (comprehensive review) • Financial self-sufficiency (~¥3M household income; no public assistance) • Japanese language: Elementary school 3rd grade level (JLPT N3-N2 recommended) Approval rate (2024): 72.4% (8,863 approved of 12,248) Processing: 10-18 months No application fee US Citizenship Renunciation: • Fee: $2,350 (State Department) • Exit Tax: Only for "Covered Expatriates" (net worth $2M+, average tax liability >$206K/year, or certification failure) • Most Americans pay zero exit tax Most Americans choose to maintain PR indefinitely rather than naturalize.
Who It's For
Long-term residents willing to renounce other citizenship
Requirements
Income Requirement
$20,000/annual
~¥3M household income
Required Documents
- Family registry equivalent
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates (if applicable)
- Education records
- Employment records
- Tax records (extensive)
- Criminal background clearance
- Residency proof
Application Process
- 1
Initial consultation
Visit Legal Affairs Bureau (Homukyoku) for requirements
- 2
Gather documents
Extensive documentation including apostilled US documents
- 3
Submit application
At Legal Affairs Bureau
- 4
Interview process
Multiple interviews over several months
- 5
Ministry of Justice review
Final decision at ministry level
- 6
Renounce US citizenship
At US Embassy after approval
Costs
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $0No fee for naturalization |
| Total Estimate | $2,350 - 5,000 |
Path Forward
Path to Permanent Residency
This IS the final status
Path to Citizenship
This IS citizenship
Tips
- Most Americans choose PR over naturalization to keep US passport
- Consider carefully - renunciation is permanent
- US exit tax usually does not apply to most Americans
- Process takes 1-2 years - plan accordingly
Common Mistakes
- Not understanding dual citizenship is prohibited
- Underestimating Japanese language requirement
- Tax issues in either country
- Insufficient ties to Japan demonstrated
DIY vs. Hiring a Lawyer
Lawyer strongly recommended - complex process with significant consequences
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