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「I want to live in Japan for a long time and continue my life here」—when considering this, one option is naturalization (acquisition of Japanese nationality). In recent years, with the introduction of a Status of Residence revocation system for Permanent Residents due to the 2024 amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (hereinafter, the Immigration Control Act), more people are comparing and considering “Permanent Residence” and “Naturalization.” This article, based on primary information from the Ministry of Justice (moj.go.jp), provides a clear explanation by an Administrative Scrivener, covering the six conditions for naturalization (Article 5 of the Nationality Act), simplified naturalization with relaxed conditions, required documents, application destination (Legal Affairs Bureau), and the differences from Permanent Residence.
Naturalization refers to a foreign national who does not possess Japanese nationality acquiring Japanese nationality with the permission of the Minister of Justice (Nationality Act, Article 4). While Permission for Permanent Residence is a “Status of Residence that allows one to continue living in Japan indefinitely while retaining foreign nationality,” naturalization fundamentally differs in that it is a procedure to change one’s nationality itself to Japanese. Once naturalization is permitted, a Residence Card becomes unnecessary, and the individual acquires the same rights and obligations as Japanese nationals (such as the right to vote and the acquisition of a Japanese passport).
| Point of Comparison | Permission for Permanent Residence | Naturalization (Acquisition of Japanese Nationality) |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Retains original nationality | Acquires Japanese nationality (in principle, renounces original nationality) |
| Residence Card | Required (with validity period renewal) | Becomes unnecessary |
| Right to vote / Right to be elected | None | Yes |
| Passport | Of one’s home country | Japanese passport |
| Reviewing Authority | Immigration Services Agency | Legal Affairs Bureau / District Legal Affairs Bureau (Minister of Justice) |
| Legal Basis | Immigration Control Act | Nationality Act |
📌 Positioning of this article: This article focuses on “naturalization to acquire Japanese nationality.” How to obtain Permission for Permanent Residence to stabilize one’s Status of Residence while retaining foreign nationality is explained in a separate article, “Requirements and Required Documents for Permission for Permanent Residence.” The maintenance of Permanent Residence after acquisition (revocation system) is discussed in “Permanent Residence Revocation System.” Please refer to both.
It is not possible to say definitively whether “Naturalization” or “Permanent Residence” is better. This is because changing one’s nationality is a significant decision that affects one’s nationality, identity, and family relationships to date. We will organize general guidelines for consideration.
🟦 Those for whom Permanent Residence is often suitable
Those who wish to retain their original nationality / wish to keep open the possibility of returning to their home country in the future / do not want to give up their home country’s nationality where dual nationality is not recognized.
🟩 Those for whom Naturalization is often suitable
Those who have established a stable life foundation in Japan / prioritize the right to vote and a Japanese passport / wish to be free from Residence Card renewals and re-entry procedures.
Furthermore, Japan generally does not recognize dual nationality. Upon naturalization, one will, in principle, renounce their original nationality (the treatment varies depending on the legal system of one’s home country). This is a key point to confirm first when considering naturalization.
The conditions for the most common “Ordinary Naturalization” are stipulated in Article 5 of the Nationality Act. These are the minimum conditions for permission for naturalization, and meeting all of them does not guarantee permission (whether to permit naturalization is at the discretion of the Minister of Justice).
| Condition | Key Points of Content |
|---|---|
| 🏠 ① Residence Condition | To have had a domicile in Japan continuously for 5 years or more. This presupposes residence under a legitimate Status of Residence, such as a work Status of Residence. In addition, since April 1, 2026, the review requires, as a general rule, residence of 10 years or more to meet the requirement of being integrated into Japanese society (the 5-year requirement in the Nationality Act has not been amended). For details, see Naturalization and the 10-Year Residence Rule from April 2026. |
| 🎂 ② Capacity Condition | To be 18 years of age or older and to have reached the age of majority under the laws of one’s home country (lowered from “20 years of age or older” as of April 1, 2022). |
| 🤝 ③ Good Conduct Condition | To be of good conduct. This is comprehensively judged based on factors such as tax payments, pension contributions, traffic violations, and criminal record. |
| 💰 ④ Livelihood Condition | To be able to support oneself in Japan through the assets and skills of the applicant or family members sharing a livelihood (judged on a household basis). |
| 🌐 ⑤ Dual Nationality Prevention Condition | To be stateless, or to, in principle, lose one’s original nationality upon naturalization. |
| 📜 ⑥ Constitutional Compliance Condition | To not have formed or joined any organization that plots or advocates the destruction by violence of the Constitution of Japan or the government established thereunder. |
In practice, we frequently receive inquiries about ③ Good Conduct Condition. Past unpaid or delayed taxes and pension contributions, as well as traffic violation points, can have an impact. If you have any concerns, it is important to ensure your payment status is in order before applying. Since April 1, 2026, the period over which payment of taxes and social insurance premiums is checked has also been extended.
For individuals who have a special relationship with Japan, some conditions, such as the residency requirement, are relaxed under Articles 6 to 8 of the Nationality Act. This is generally referred to as “Simplified Naturalization“. Here are some typical cases.
⚠️ Note: The requirements for Simplified Naturalization are finely divided based on combinations of factors such as marriage duration, history of residence, and family relationships. Since which article applies to you and how the years are counted vary depending on individual circumstances, we recommend confirming with the Legal Affairs Bureau or a specialist before applying.
For naturalization, Japanese proficiency sufficient for daily life without hindrance is required. While there are no legally stipulated, scored criteria, understanding of Japanese, including reading and writing, may be confirmed through interviews with officials during the application process.
🗾 Japanese proficiency for naturalization is not determined by ‘test scores’ but is assessed from the perspective of ‘whether one can live in Japan without difficulty’. Daily life itself serves as preparation.
The required documents for an Application for Permission of Naturalization vary significantly depending on the applicant’s nationality, family status, occupation, etc. Here, we will organize the representative documents. Please confirm what is actually required with the competent Legal Affairs Bureau in advance.
In particular, documents related to family status obtained from your home country (such as birth, marriage, and family relationship certificates) often take a long time to acquire and may require translation. Early preparation leads to a smoother application process.
As a general rule, an Application for Permission of Naturalization must be made by the applicant in person at the Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over their place of residence (Please note that the application destination differs from the Immigration Services Agency, which is the contact point for Application for Permission for Permanent Residence). For those residing in Miyazaki Prefecture, the Miyazaki District Legal Affairs Bureau serves as the contact point.
💡 Estimated Review Period: The naturalization review generally takes a considerable period (approximately 6 months to 1 year) from application to result. This is not a definitive period as it varies depending on individual circumstances. Please allow ample time for preparation.
🏢 When foreign employees acquire Japanese nationality through naturalization, there are practical benefits for companies. Creating an environment where employees can work with peace of mind for a long time directly leads to retention and strengthening of the workforce.
Permanent Resident is a “Status of Residence that allows foreign nationals to continue living in Japan without Period of Stay restrictions while retaining their foreign nationality,” and it is reviewed by the Immigration Services Agency. Naturalization is a procedure to “acquire Japanese nationality itself,” and it is reviewed by the Legal Affairs Bureau/District Legal Affairs Bureau (Minister of Justice). Upon naturalization, the Residence Card becomes unnecessary, and one gains the right to vote and can hold a Japanese passport.
Under the Nationality Act, the residence condition for ordinary naturalization is “to have continuously resided in Japan for 5 years or more.” In practice, however, since April 1, 2026 the naturalization review has required residence of 10 years or more as a general rule. However, if there is a special relationship with Japan, such as being a Spouse or Child of Japanese National or born in Japan, the residency requirement is relaxed under Articles 6-8 of the Nationality Act (simplified naturalization). How this 10-year practice applies to simplified naturalization has not been published. Since the calculation of years varies depending on individual circumstances, it is recommended to confirm with the Legal Affairs Bureau.
In relation to the good conduct requirement, the payment status of taxes, pensions, and social insurance premiums will be checked. If there are unpaid amounts or delays, it is advisable to settle payments before Application. If you are concerned about past situations, it is reassuring to have a specialist check them early.
As Japan generally does not recognize dual nationality, naturalization will, in principle, result in the Renunciation of Nationality. Procedures and handling vary depending on the legal system of your home country, so it is necessary to also check the rules of your home country.
It is the Legal Affairs Bureau/District Legal Affairs Bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. The application destination differs from Application for Permission for Permanent Residence (Immigration Services Agency). For those residing in Miyazaki Prefecture, the Miyazaki District Legal Affairs Bureau is the contact point. First, receive guidance on the necessary documents for your case through a preliminary consultation.
Yes. Our office, based in Miyazaki City, accepts consultations regarding Status of Residence and naturalization. We provide support tailored to your circumstances, such as clarifying whether Permanent Resident or naturalization is more suitable, confirming necessary documents, and checking tax and pension payment status. Please feel free to use our free consultation first.
Naturalization is a major life choice to acquire Japanese nationality. Ordinary naturalization has six conditions: residence (5 years or more under the law; 10 years or more as a general rule in the review since April 2026), capacity (18 years or older), good conduct, livelihood, prevention of dual nationality, and adherence to the Constitution. Conditions are relaxed for simplified naturalization for those such as Spouse or Child of Japanese National or those born in Japan. The application destination is the Legal Affairs Bureau/District Legal Affairs Bureau, which differs from the Application for Permission for Permanent Residence (Immigration Services Agency). Necessary documents vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, and it is not uncommon for it to take time to obtain documents from one’s home country. “Is it better to remain a Permanent Resident, or proceed with naturalization?” — We recommend that you consult with a specialist early to clarify this in light of your life plan.
Our office accepts consultations from both foreign nationals and accepting companies, based on the latest institutional trends.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service.
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 is written based on publicly available information as of July 2026. The specific requirements, necessary documents, and operational details of the naturalization review process may vary depending on individual circumstances and future system changes. For actual applications, please refer to the official information from the Ministry of Justice or the competent Legal Affairs Bureau, or contact our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
