Can a whole family get Japanese citizenship together?

This question came from a reader from the internet.

Every situation is different, but to answer your question in the simplest way, the answer to your question is yes, naturalization as a family/group is possible, and some of the forms — such as the 親族の概要 {shinzoku no gaiyō} (Relatives Overview) — even have sections where you mark those who are applying with you as a set.

The reason for this should be obvious. If a family member wants the unconditional right to be in Japan for the rest of his or her life, it makes obvious sense that he or she would want the family he lives with to have the same right as well.

If it becomes clear, in the very unlikely case, that one or more of the family would not qualify for naturalization yet others would, the family would be consulted as to how they wish to proceed before anything that is irreversible would occur.

In fact, if you look at the 官報 {kampō} (Diet's Official Gazette) listings, you'll see that families naturalizing together as a set are quite common; they are grouped together, under the same name, usually (but not always) with the same surnames pre-naturalization.

The minimum age for naturalization for a single person is twenty (20) years of age, which is the age you are not considered to be a minor in Japan. All minors, with parental/guardian consent, naturalize under the rules of 簡易帰化 {kan'i kika} (simplified naturalization), not 普通帰化 {futsū kika} (regular naturalization), thus by default the process is easier for dependent children. Additionally, any of the requirements for naturalization (such as the living requirements, individual photo, and essay, which is not required for minors) are different for children under fifteen (15) years of age.

Of course, it is also possible for the family members to not naturalize all at the same time.