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When residents of Miyazaki Prefecture apply for Naturalization Application (acquisition of Japanese nationality), the only point of contact for both consultation and application is the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau, Family Register Division (Beppu-cho, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Legal Affairs General Building 2F). The Miyakonojo, Nobeoka, and Nichinan branch offices do not handle naturalization consultations or applications, and consultations are by appointment only via phone. This article, following the official guidance from the Ministry of Justice and the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau, organizes the process for foreign nationals in Miyazaki Prefecture and HR professionals supporting employee naturalization, from “where to go, how to book, and what to bring” to the post-permission procedures of submitting the naturalization notification and returning the Residence Card. The six conditions for naturalization and a comparison with Permanent Resident are covered in the related article “Explaining the Requirements and Necessary Documents for Naturalization Application,” so this article focuses on “the actual steps to take in Miyazaki.”
Here are the key points summarized:
💡 In a nutshell: Naturalization in Miyazaki follows the order of “book by phone → consult at the Family Register Division → collect documents and apply in person.” Unlike Application for Permission for Permanent Residence (Immigration Services Agency), there is only one point of contact in the prefecture, so those in the Miyakonojo and Nobeoka areas need to plan for travel time.
The “Regarding Nationality Consultations” guidance published by the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau states that consultations and applications regarding nationality (Naturalization, acquisition of nationality, etc.) for residents of Miyazaki Prefecture are handled by the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau, Family Register Division, that consultations are by appointment only, and that this division is the only point of contact for nationality consultations in the prefecture, with the Miyakonojo Branch Office, Nobeoka Branch Office, and Nichinan Branch Office not handling nationality-related services.
| Item | Content (Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau Guidance) |
|---|---|
| Contact Point | Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau, Family Register Division |
| Location | 1-1 Beppu-cho, Miyazaki City (Miyazaki Legal Affairs General Building 2F) |
| Phone (Reservations/Inquiries) | 0985-22-5250 |
| Consultation Method | Appointment only (Book by phone before visiting) |
| Branch Office Handling | Miyakonojo Branch Office, Nobeoka Branch Office, and Nichinan Branch Office do not handle naturalization or nationality acquisition services. |
In the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau’s “List of Handled Services,” it is also stated that only the main office handles nationality affairs, while the Miyakonojo, Nobeoka, and Nichinan branch offices handle “nationality selection only,” and the Takanabe and Kobayashi branch offices do not handle any. “Nationality selection” is a procedure for dual nationals to choose one nationality and is a different system from Naturalization.
The Miyazaki Legal Affairs General Building is the same building that houses the Miyazaki Office (Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau) of the Immigration Services Agency. According to the official guidance from the Immigration Services Agency, the Miyazaki Office is located at “Miyazaki Legal Affairs General Building 2F, 1-1 Beppu-cho, Miyazaki City,” and access is a 10-minute walk from JR Miyazaki Station [West Exit] or a 1-minute walk after getting off at “Saibansho-mae” (in front of the courthouse) by Miyazaki Kotsu bus. The fact that naturalization consultations (Legal Affairs Bureau, Family Register Division) and Status of Residence procedures (Immigration Services Agency, Miyazaki Office) can be completed in the same building is a unique advantage in Miyazaki.
The Legal Affairs Bureau’s counter service hours are weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and they are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and during the New Year’s holiday period (December 29 to January 3). Please make phone calls for reservations during these hours.
The Ministry of Justice Civil Affairs Bureau’s leaflet “Guidance on Application Procedures for Acquisition of Japanese Nationality by Naturalization” explains that the naturalization process proceeds in the following order:
The Ministry of Justice’s procedure guide for Application for Permission of Naturalization clearly states the following:
| Item | Ministry of Justice Guidance |
|---|---|
| Basis | Nationality Act, Article 4, Paragraph 2 |
| Submission Method | Individuals aged 15 or older must personally appear at the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau to submit the application in writing. For those under 15, a legal representative such as a parent or guardian must appear. |
| Fee | No fee is required. |
| Required Documents | The necessary documents vary by individual, so consult the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau where you plan to apply. |
| Application Form | Available at the submission office. |
| Examination Criteria / Standard Processing Period | Neither exists. |
| Method of Appeal | None exists. |
This means that you cannot “obtain the application form yourself and mail it” or “have an Administrative Scrivener appear on your behalf.” An Administrative Scrivener like our office can assist with the preparation for the application, such as organizing your situation for preliminary consultation, arranging for the procurement of documents from your home country, assisting with the creation of the Statement of Motivation for Naturalization and resume, and checking the collected documents.
Naturalization is a procedure where the applicant must appear in person. The role of an Administrative Scrivener is to prepare everything leading up to that point.
The consultation at the family register division is a place where, after hearing your circumstances, you will be guided on “the documents necessary for this person.” Organizing the following points in advance will make the consultation more specific:
If you are at the stage of wondering “whether to remain a Permanent Resident or proceed with naturalization,” one way to organize which option might suit your situation better is to use our office’s “Comparison of Naturalization and Permanent Residence (Free Diagnosis)” first.
The Ministry of Justice’s Nationality Q&A (Q11) lists the following 11 main types of documents required for Application for Permission of Naturalization:
| # | Document | Remarks (as stated in leaflet/Q&A) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application for Permission of Naturalization | Applicant’s photo required |
| 2 | Document describing family members | — |
| 3 | Statement of Motivation for Naturalization | — |
| 4 | Resume | — |
| 5 | Document describing outline of livelihood | — |
| 6 | Document describing outline of business | If operating a business |
| 7 | Certificate of Residence | Must prove nationality, Status of Residence, Period of Stay, expiration date of Period of Stay, and residence history for the past 5 years prior to application |
| 8 | Document proving nationality | For Koreans/North Koreans: Basic Certificate; for Chinese: Nationality Certificate issued by the Japanese Embassy/Consulate or Family Register from home country; for other countries: Nationality Certificate issued by home country’s government |
| 9 | Document proving family relationship | Birth certificate, marriage certificate, family relationship certificate, etc. If there is a Japanese national among relatives, Japanese Family Register/Removed Family Register and Certificate of Residence |
| 10 | Document proving tax payment | For company employees: withholding tax slip, etc.; for sole proprietors: income tax payment certificate, etc.; for company managers: corporate tax payment certificate, etc. |
| 11 | Document proving income | Certificate of employment and certificate of monthly salary, social insurance premium payment certificate, etc. |
Documents proving nationality and documents proving personal status must, in principle, be submitted as issued by the authorities of the home country. Since it often takes time to obtain documents from the home country, it is standard practice to arrange for home country documents first once the necessary documents are determined during the consultation.
According to the “Trends in the Number of Naturalization Application, Naturalization Permissions, and Naturalization Denials” published by the Civil Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice, the national figures for the past three years are as follows:
| Year | Number of Naturalization Applications | Number of Naturalization Permissions | Number of Naturalization Denials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reiwa 5 (2023) | 9,836 people | 8,800 people | 813 people |
| Reiwa 6 (2024) | 12,248 people | 8,863 people | 639 people |
| Reiwa 7 (2025) | 14,103 people | 9,258 people | 666 people |
The number of applicants has increased for two consecutive years, reaching 14,103 in Reiwa 7 (2025), the highest level in the last 10 years. By nationality (Reiwa 7), the number of approved applicants is China with 3,533, followed by South Korea/North Korea with 2,017, then Nepal with 695, Brazil with 409, Vietnam with 357, the Philippines with 352, and Myanmar with 273. Nationals from Asia and South America rank highest. Although the breakdown for Miyazaki Prefecture alone is not published in the Ministry of Justice’s statistics, Naturalization is becoming a familiar option for foreign nationals who have lived in the prefecture for a long time.
Source: Ministry of Justice, Civil Affairs Bureau, “Trends in the Number of Naturalization Application Applicants, Approved Naturalization Applicants, and Denied Naturalization Applicants,” “Number of Approved Naturalization Applicants by Nationality”
When the Minister of Justice grants permission for Naturalization, it is announced in the Official Gazette, and Naturalization becomes effective from the date of the announcement (Nationality Act, Article 10). After acquiring Japanese nationality, there are two time-limited procedures.
| Procedure | Deadline | Basis / Submission Location |
|---|---|---|
| Notification of Naturalization | Within 1 month from the date of official gazette announcement | Family Register Act, Article 102-2. Submitted to the municipal office, where the individual’s family register is created. |
| Return of Residence Card | Within 14 days from the date the individual ceases to be a mid- to long-term resident (date of Residence Card invalidation) | Return based on the Immigration Control Act. Bring it to the regional Immigration Services Agency office with jurisdiction over the place of residence, or send it to the designated return address. |
The official guidance from the Immigration Services Agency clearly states that a Residence Card becomes invalid “when a mid- to long-term resident ceases to be a mid- to long-term resident,” and it must be returned to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days from the date of invalidation. It also states that failure to return it within the deadline may result in a fine. The return methods are either to bring it directly to the regional Immigration Services Agency office with jurisdiction over the place of residence or to send it with the reference form “Regarding the Return of Residence Cards, etc.” and a document certifying the reason for return. For those residing in Miyazaki Prefecture, it would be straightforward to bring it to the Miyazaki Office (TEL 0985-31-3580, counter hours 9:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00) on the 2nd floor of the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Joint Government Building, where Naturalization consultations were held.
When foreign national employees working at corporations in Miyazaki Prefecture aim for Naturalization, HR professionals are primarily asked to cooperate with documentation.
Once Naturalization is permitted and the employee acquires Japanese nationality, management of their Period of Stay updates and Residence Card checks will no longer be necessary. However, until permission is granted, management of the Period of Stay is still required as before, so please share within the company to avoid the misunderstanding that “renewal is not necessary because the application is pending.”
📌 Practical Memo for HR Professionals: Naturalization Application generally requires Personal Appearance by the applicant, and neither the company nor an Administrative Scrivener can appear on their behalf. The company’s role is limited to issuing documents and accommodating schedules.
No, you cannot. According to the Miyazaki District Legal Affairs Bureau’s guidance, consultations and applications regarding nationality (Naturalization, acquisition of nationality, etc.) within the prefecture are handled only at the Family Register Division of the Miyazaki District Legal Affairs Bureau. The Miyakonojo Branch Office, Nobeoka Branch Office, and Nichinan Branch Office do not handle these matters. You will need to go to the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Joint Government Building in Beppu-cho, Miyazaki City.
The Miyazaki District Legal Affairs Bureau advises, “Consultations are by appointment only, so please make a reservation by phone before visiting.” Please call the Family Register Division (0985-22-5250) to make an appointment first.
The Ministry of Justice’s procedural guide explicitly states, “No Fee is required.” However, separate fees will apply for obtaining and translating documents from your home country, and for issuing documents such as a Certificate of Residence and tax certificates.
No. Application for Permission of Naturalization requires individuals aged 15 or older to make a Personal Appearance at the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau themselves. An Administrative Scrivener can assist with the preparatory stages, such as organizing the situation for pre-consultation, supporting the collection and creation of documents, and checking them before submission.
Once you acquire Japanese nationality and cease to be a mid- to long-term resident, your Residence Card becomes invalid. You must return the invalid card to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days from the date of invalidation. If you reside in Miyazaki Prefecture, you can bring it to the Immigration Miyazaki Office on the 2nd floor of the Miyazaki Legal Affairs General Government Building, or mail it to the return address provided by the Immigration Services Agency. Additionally, you must submit a naturalization application to your municipal office within one month from the date of public notification.
The naturalization application process in Miyazaki Prefecture begins with making an appointment for a consultation at a single point of contact: the Family Register Division of the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau. There are no fees, and while the examination criteria and standard processing period are not publicly disclosed, preparing for the application, such as obtaining documents from your home country and drafting a Statement of Motivation for Naturalization, takes a considerable amount of time. After approval, there are still time-limited procedures remaining: submitting the naturalization application (within one month) and returning the Residence Card (within 14 days).
Our office, based in Miyazaki City, provides consultation services to foreign nationals and accepting companies throughout Miyazaki Prefecture. We assist with preparations for consultation and application at the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau, from clarifying whether Permanent Resident or Naturalization is more suitable, identifying necessary documents, arranging for the acquisition of home country documents, to supporting the creation of the Statement of Motivation for Naturalization and resume.
Our office provides consultation services to both foreign nationals and accepting companies, based on the latest system trends.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
📩 Contact Us Here
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article was written based on publicly available information as of September 2026. The location, reception hours, consultation methods, and handling of necessary documents may change in the future. For actual applications, please confirm with official information from the Ministry of Justice, the Miyazaki Legal Affairs Bureau, or our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
