Analyzing the Application Procedures

After your first visit to the Bureau of Legal Affairs, you'll probably be given a colorful, six page foldable pamphlet. Here's what the cover looks like:

帰化による {kika ni yoru}

日本国籍の取得 {Nippon kokuseki no shutoku

申請手続のご案内 {shinsei tetsuzuki no goannai}

法務省民事局 {hōmushō minjikyoku}

Simple enough translation:

Acquiring Japanese Citizenship

by Naturalization

Application Procedure Information

Ministry of Justice, Civil Affairs Bureau

Look at the smiling blonde businesswoman and how happy she is! Naturalization looks easy and fun! Are you excited? I am! Let's turn to page two! Let's go!


Page two repeats a lot of text that's found all over the internet and quotes the Nationality law verbatim. It does add one little exception at fine print at the bottom:

帰化とは {kika to wa (Naturalization is:)

国籍法第４条 {kokusekihō dai-yon-jō} (Nationality Law Article 4)

日本国民でない者は、 {nippon kokumin de nai mono wa,}​帰化によって、日本の国籍を {kika ni yotte, nippon no kokuseki o}​取得すろことができる。 {shutoku suru koto ga dekiru.}​法務大臣の許可を {hōmudaijin no kyoka o}​得なければならない。 {enakereba naranai.}

(A person who is not a Japanese citizen may acquire Japanese nationality through naturalization. To undergo naturalization, permission of the Minister of Justice shall be obtained.)

帰化の一般的な条件 {kika no ippan teki na jōken} (General Requirements)

国籍法第５条第１項 {kokusekihō dai-go-jō dai-ik-kō} (Nationality Law, Article 5 Paragraph 1)

少なくとも以下の条件を満たす必要があります。 {sukunaku tomo ika no jōken o mitasu hitsuyō ga arimasu.} (A person must, at the very least, meet the following conditions:)

1. 引き続き５年以上日本に住所を有すること。 {hikitsuduki go-nen ijō nihon ni jūsho o yū suru koto.} (Having continuously had a domicile in Japan for five years or more;)
   
2. ２０歳以上で本国法によって行為能力を有すること。 {hatachi ijō de honkokuhō ni yotte koi nōryoku o yū suru koto.} (Being twenty years of age or more and having the capacity to act according to his/her national law;)
3. 素行が善良であること。 {sokō ga zenryō de aru koto.} (Being a person of good conduct;)
4. 自己又は生計を一にする配偶者その他の家族の {jiko mata wa seikei o ichi ni suru haigūsha sono ta no kazoku no}​資産又は技能によって生計を営むことができること。 {shisan mata wa ginō ni yotte seikei o itonamu koto ga dekiru koto.} (Being able to make a living through his/her own assets or abilities, or through those of a spouse or of another relative who is making a living;)
5. 国籍を有せず、又は日本の国籍の取得によって {kokuseki o yū sezu, mata wa nippon no kokuseki no shutoku ni yotte}​その国籍を失うべきこと。 {sono kokuseki o ushinau beki koto.} (Not having a nationality or having to give up his/her nationality due to the acquisition of Japanese nationality; and)
   
6. 日本国憲法又はその下に成立した政府を {Nippon-koku kenpō mata wa sono shita ni seiritsu shita seifu o}​暴力で破壊することを企て、若しくは主張し、 {bōryoku de hakai suru koto o kuwadate, moshiku wa shuchō shi,}​又はこれを企て、若しくは主張する政党 {mata wa kore o kuwadate, moshiku wa shuchō suru seitō}​その他の団体を結成し、若しくはこれに {sono ta no dantai o kessei shi, moshiku wa kore ni}​加入したことがないこと。 {kanyū shita koto ga nai koto.} (On or after the date of promulgation of the Constitution of Japan, not having planned or advocated the destruction of the Constitution of Japan or the government established thereunder with force, and not having formed or joined a political party or other organization planning or advocating the same.)

日本で生まれた方、日本人と結婚している方、 {Nippon de umareta kata, nihonjin to kekkon shite iru kata,}​お父さん又はお母さんが日本人である方などについては、 {otōsan mata wa okāsan ga nihonjin de aru kata nado ni tsuite wa,}​上記の条件の一部がゆるやかになっています。 {jōki no jōken no ichibu ga yuruyaka ni natte imasu.} (Some of the above requirements may be relaxed for those who were born in Japan, are married to a Japanese, or who have a father or mother who are Japanese)

The last little paragraph is interesting. It's referring to the process called 簡易帰化 {kan'i kika} (simplified naturalization), which is sometimes called 特別帰化 {tokubetsu kika} (special naturalization) — neither of which have a direct connection with 特別永住者 {tokubetsu eijūsha} (special permanent resident) status. The conditions for qualifying for 簡易帰化 {kan'i kika} (simplified naturalization) are a little complicated and will be covered in a separate post, but let's simplify for now and state that the fact of being born in Japan alone — jus soli ("right of the territory") — is not enough to qualify for 簡易帰化 {kan'i kika} (simplified naturalization). And neither is jus sanguinis ("right of blood") alone enough to be a shoe-in.

Most applicants that qualify for 簡易帰化 {kan'i kika} (simplified naturalization) qualify because they are married to a Japanese citizen for three years or more.

Condition #3 is what most people get rejected on (even though less than 5% of submitted applications are rejected though). This means no criminal or misdemeanor infractions — ever. Overseas or in Japan. They will want to see your traffic records. Including parking tickets. While not necessarily an automatic out (the example application forms list some moving violations), if you have a lead foot and you plan to naturalize, perhaps you should consider public transportation for a few years.

Condition #3 also means your tax and immigration record is spotless. You've never been late submitting a visa extension. You've never (been caught) working without a proper visa. You've paid your Japanese taxes and your Japanese pension and your Japanese national health insurance. They will want to see records for all of these things.

Note that Japanese language ability is not spelled out in the above. It's implied by condition #4. In other words, even if you work at a cushy white collar job where you speak your native language of English all day, if you lost that job, would you have enough Japanese ability to work at a convenience store? I've heard that the level they are looking for is approximately equivalent to a primary school third grade student ("rudimentary level"). If you've passed the 日本語能力試験 {nihongo nōryoku shiken} — even if it's not the highest level,１級 {ik-kyū} — they will want a copy of this and will place it in the 技能 {ginō} part of your file.

Condition #4 also means don't be poor. But it doesn't mean "you must be rich" or even "you must be well off" either. The example application forms that show Kim Korean applying has him earning a salary that's not a whole lot higher than what a JET Programme ALT makes.

And while having a college degree (or even a high school degree) is not a must-have requirement for naturalization, it fits into condition #4. If you have one, they will make it part of your file as an additional variable to consider.

Condition #5 is the show-stopper for most would be non-Japanese residents. Yes, they mean it. And yes, the 宣誓書 {senseisho} (written oath), etc. is specifically rigged and worded to be a "Potentially Expatriating Act" according to many countries, including the U.S.

Even if you plan to lie under oath and not renounce your citizenship, there is a chance, even if you do not renounce, the U.S. could revoke your U.S. citizenship. Does it happen? Rarely (never heard of a contemporary case except for the case of enemy combatants). But that doesn't mean that it can't happen. And it doesn't mean that Japan cannot revoke a dual national's citizenship. Does it happen? Not that I'm aware of (in modern history). But that doesn't mean it can't happen. Messing with nationalities in the name of passport collecting or trying to be an "international citizen" is no small matter. The consequences of getting on the wrong side of the bureaucratic process, which has the law on its side, no matter how slight the odds, are severe and permanent.

Condition #6 is the easiest to pass. It means don't be a member of Al Qaeda or オウム真理教 {Ōmu Shinrikyō} (Aum Shinrikyo). If you happen to be so old that you fought in World War Ⅱ and tried to overthrow the Imperial aka Meiji Constitution of Japan, well then that apparently is okay.

Meet all the requirements so far? Yes? Good. Let's turn the page to see what kind of paperwork drill we're in for.

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The following section is actually two pages, but the fourth page is a continuation of the third, so we're linking them together here:

帰化をしようとする方自身が {kika o shiyō to suru kata jishin ga} (What those who are naturalizing need:)

作成する書類 {sakusei suru shorui} (Documents to be created and/or completed:)

1. 帰化許可申請書 {kika kyoka shinseisho} (Naturalization permit application form)
2. 家族の概要を記載した書類 {kazoku no gaiyō o kisai shita shorui} (Documents and forms describing your immediate family)
3. 帰化の動機書 {kika no dōki-sho} (Naturalization motivation essay)
4. 履歴書 {rireki-sho} (Personal history form)
5. 生計の概要を記載した書類 {seikei no gaiyō o kisai shita shorui} (Documents outlining how you make a living)
6. 事業の概要を記載した書類 {jigyō no gaiyō o kisai shita shorui} (Documents outlining any businesses you own or operate)
7. その他 {sono ta} (Other paperwork)

帰化をしようとする方の本国や、 {kika o shiyō to suru kata no honkoku ya,}
日本の役所などから {nihon no yakusho nado kara}
取り寄せる書類 {toriyoseru shorui} (Documents to be retrieved from Japanese government offices:)

1. 外国人登録原票記載事項証明書 {gaikokujin tōroku gempyō kisai jikō shōmeisho} (Certificate of Registered Alien Matters)
   
   出生地、上陸年月日、在留資格、在留期間、 {shusseichi, jōriku nengappi, zairyū shikaku, zairyū kikan,}
   申請前５年間の居住歴などが証明されたもの {shinsei mae go-nenkan no kyojūreki nado ga shōmei sareta mono} (Should have the follow matters listed: Place of birth, date of landing, status, duration of stay History and proof of residence for the last five years.)
   
2. 国籍を証明する書類 {kokuseki o shōmei suru shorui} (Proof of citizenship)
   
   

   ［韓国・朝鮮の方］ {[kankoku · chōsen no kata]} (Korean People)

   本国官憲が発行した家族関係記録事項証明書 {honkoku kanken ga hakkō shita kazoku kankei kiroku jikō shōmeisho} (Matter of record certificate issued by the relevant authorities for one's family's home)
   
   

   ［中国の方］ {[chūgoku no kata]} (Chinese People)

   在日大使館・領事館が発行した国籍証明書 {zainichi taishikan · ryōjikan ga hakkō shita kokuseki shōmeisho}
   又は本国で発行された戸籍謄本（全部謄本） {mata wa honkoku de hakkō sareta koseki tōhon (zenbu tōhon)} (Citizenship certificate issued by the Embassy/Consulate in Japan or issued Home/family register (Full transcript))
   
   

   ［そのほかの国の方］ {[sono hoka no kuni no kata]} (Other countries)

   本国政府が発行した国籍証明証 {honkoku seifu ga hakkō shita kokuseki shōmeisho} (Citizenship certificate issued by the respective government)
   
   ＊パスポートをお持ちの方は、その写しも提出してください。 {* pasupōto o omochi no kata wa, sono utsushi mo teishutsu shite kudasai.} (If you have a passport, please also submit a copy of it.)
3. 家族関係を証明する書類 {kazoku kankei o shōmei suru shorui} (Proof of family relationship)
   
   

   ［韓国・朝鮮の方］ {[kankoku · chōsen no kata]} (Korean People)

   本国官憲が発行した家族関係記録事項証明書 {honkoku kanken ga hakkō shita kazoku kankei kiroku jikō shōmeisho} (Matter of record certificate issued by relevant authorities for one's family's home)
   
   

   ［中国の方］ {[chūgoku no kata]} (Chinese People)

   公証書又は本国で発行された戸籍・除籍謄本 {kōshōsho mata wa honkoku de hakkō sareta koseki · joseki tōhon} (Official Copy of family register (including those removed from the register) or notarization home)
   （全部謄本） {(zenbu tōhon)} (full transcripts)
   
   

   ［そのほかの国の方］ {[sono hoka no kuni no kata]} (Other countries)

   本国政府が発行した出生証明書、婚姻証明書、 {honkoku seifu ga hakkō shita shussei shōmeisho, kon'in shōmeisho,}
   家族関係証明書など {kazoku kankei shōmeisho nado} (Official government issued birth certificates, marriage certificates, and certificates of family relationships)
   
   

   →家族の中に日本人の方がいる場合 {kazoku no naka ni nihonjin no kata ga iru baai} (If there are Japanese people in your family)

   日本の戸籍・除籍謄本（全部謄本）と住民票 {nihon no koseki · joseki tōhon (zenbu tōhon) to jūminhyō} (Official copy of the Japanese family register — including those removed from the register — (full transcript), and the residence card)
   
   

   →帰化をしようとする方やその家族が日本の {kika o shiyō to suru kata ya sono kazoku ga nihon no}
   市区町村役場へ戸籍の届出をしている場合 {shikuchōson yakuba e koseki no todokede o shite iru baai} (If there is anybody else in your family currently attempting to naturalize or submit a family register to a local Ward Office)

   （出生届、死亡届、婚姻届、離婚届、認知届、養子縁組届など） {(shussei todoke, shibō todoke, kon'in todoke, rikon todoke, ninchi todoke, yōshi engumi todoke nado)} (Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, adoption certificates, etc)
   戸籍届書類記載事項証明書 {koseki todoke shorui kisai jikō shōmeisho} (Family register documents and certificate of registered matters)
4. 納税を証明する書類 {nōzei o shōmei suru shorui} (Proof of tax payment)
   
   

   ［会社員の方］ {[kaishain no kata]} (Employed people)

   源泉徴収票など {gensen-chōshū-hyō nado} (Tax withholding slip, etc. )
   
   

   ［個人で事業を経営している方］ {[kojin de jigyō o keiei shite iru kata]} (Those who are self-employed)

   所得税の納税証明書など {shotokuzei no nōzei shōmeisho} (Income tax and tax statement)
   
   

   ［会社を経営している方］ {[kaisha o keiei shite iru kata]} (Those who run a corporation)

   法人税の納税証明書など {hōjin-zei no nōzei shōmeisho nado} (Business Taxes and tax certificates, etc.)
   
5. 収入を証明する書類 {shūnyū o shōmei suru shorui} (Proof of Income)
   
   

   ［会社員の方など］ {[kaishain no kata nado]} (Employed people)

   勤務していることの証明書と、 {kimmu shite iru koto no shōmeisho to,} (Proof of Employment,)
   １か月の給与の証明書 {ik-ka-getsu no kyūyo no shōmeisho} (Monthly Salary Certificate)
6. その他 {sono ta} (Other Paperwork)

＊日本語以外の文字で作成されている書類には、 {nihongo igai no moji de sakusei sarete iru shorui ni wa,}
必ず翻訳者を明らかにした日本語の訳文を {kanarazu hon'yakusha o akiraka ni nihongo no yakubun o}
添付してください。 {tempu shite kudasai.} (Clear Japanese translation must be provided for any paperwork which has non-Japanese characters.)

帰化申請の方法 {kika shinsei no hōhō} (How to apply for naturalization)

帰化をしようとする人の年齢 {kika o shiyō to suru hito no nenrei} (Age of the person trying to naturalize)	申請をされる方 {shinsei o sareru kata} (Who applies)	申請先 {shinsei-saki} (Where to Apply)
１５歳以上の方→ {jūgo-sai ijō no kata} (15 years or older)	本人→ {honnin} (the naturalization applicant)	住所を {jūsho o} 受け待っている {ukematte iru} 法務局・ {hōmukyoku} 地方法務局 {chihō hōmykyoku} (Directly at a Legal Affairs Bureau or District Legal Affairs Bureau)
１５歳未満の方→ {jūgo-sai miman no kata} (under 15)	父母などの法定代理人→ {fubo nado no hōtei dairinin} (The parents or legal representative)

＊申請をされる方本人が自ら法務局・地方法務局に {* shinsei o sareru kata honnin ga mizukara hōmukyoku · chihō hōmukyoku ni}
出向いて申請してください。 {demuite shinsei shite kudasai.} (The naturalization candidate must apply in person to the District Legal Affairs Bureau or the Legal Affairs Bureau)

MEMO

_____________________________________________________________

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The fine details for each item above will be covered in later posts, as each one of these items is worthy of at least a post or two (or three).

I found out that my passport does not count as "proof of citizenship" in the MoJ's minds. In the case of Americans, you need to get a letter from the embassy ($30 fee) that says you're American.

And when they say they want a copy of your passport, they aren't kidding: every page of every passport (including canceled ones) with a stamp needs to be copied. Twice. This is what made my application packet grow to be 3cm thick. If you use electronic gateways that don't leave a stamp in the passport, you need to get computer transcript printouts from the appropriate border controls.

The reason Chinese and Koreans are listed separately is because over 90% of the people that naturalize are from these countries; they're simply getting more specific for the most common case.

Finally, during you consultation, your case worker will outline anything else in the "memo" area. For example, he wanted a candid photo of me with my family. He called it "plus alpha," which is the first and only time I heard my case worker use an expression that was trendy. Also, Americans don't have any sort of certificate showing that a mother only gave birth to a certain amount of children. So he gave me an extra form (in Japanese), told me to fill it out, translate it to English, then get my mother to sign it.

In addition to the memo area, my case worker scribbled all over my booklet (I wanted a pristine one for my collection), scratching out things like "five years" and putting "one" in its place for me.

Okay! Lots of paperwork. It's going to take months to get the stuff from overseas! One more page to go!

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Each one of these steps below, providing that all goes well and smooth, is equivalent to an (hour to ninety minute) appointment at the Bureau of Legal Affairs. However, the time between each step (the arrows) is usually a period of weeks to months, as the paperwork takes some time to gather, and even when gathered, it can take a few weeks to get an appointment with your case worker.

帰化の申請の手順 {kika no shinsei no tejun} (Naturalization Application Flowchart)

相談 {sōdan} (consultation)
↓ 提出書類の作成・取り寄せ {teishutsu shorui no sakusei · toriyose} (submission of prepared paperwork and forms)
↓ 法務局・地方法務局に申請 {hōmukyoku · chihō hōmukyoku ni shinsei} (apply to the District Legal Affairs Bureau or the Legal Affairs Bureau)
↓ 書類の点検・受付 {shorui no tenken · uketsuke} (document inspection)
↓ 審査 {shinsa} (investigation)
↓ 法務省へ書類送付・審査 {hōmushō e shorui sōfu · shinsa} (paperwork sent to the Ministry of Justice for review)
↓ 法務大臣決裁 {hōmudaijin kessai} (Ministry of Justice sanction)
↓ 許可 {kyoka} (approved)	↓ 不許可 {fukyoka} (denied)
↓ 官報告示・法務局から本人へ通知 {kampō kokuji · hōmukyoku kara honnin e tsūchi} (Notification from the Legal Affairs Bureau and public notification in the Official Gazette)	↓ 法務局から本人へ通知 {hōmukyoku kara honnin e tsūchi} (Notification from the Legal Affairs Bureau)

The last row, bottom left approval cell means once you get citizenship, your (new Japanese) name is published in the Official Gazette, which is sort of like the Congressional Record in the States. Make sure you find your entry, print it out, and frame it, because there is no fancy ceremony or swearing in ritual.

You don't get a passport immediately. You need to apply for it.

Not too hard, no? Well, it's not exactly easy either. The devil's in the details.

In later posts I'll translate each one of the forms and the examples so each step is easier to understand.