Can you reapply for naturalization if you're rejected?

Getting rejected by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ; 法務省 {hōmushō}) is rare; less than 2% of applicants that are passed on to the MoJ for review by case workers get rejected. This is because if the packet isn't strong, the case worker will suggest that you improve it before submission.

If you are rejected, it is not published in the 官報 {kanpō} (Official Gazette). You will receive a form in the mail (and probably a call from your case worker) titled 「䞍蚱可通知曞」 {"fukyoka tsÅ«chi-sho"} ("Notice of Rejection") from the 法務倧臣 {Hōmu Daijin} (Minister of Justice) co-signed by the 法務局長 {Hōmukyoku-chō} (Chief of the local Legal Bureau).

There is no limit to the number of times you can re-apply for naturalization. And there are documented cases of people being rejected then accepted later. Naturally, when you reapply, the case worker is going to want to see if something in your life has changed before taking on your paperwork again. In the letter of rejection, there will be a reason. If the reason is one of the following, you stand a good chance of being able to reapply after time passes and your situation changes:
  • 「生蚈条件に疑問があり、しばらく生掻状態を芳察する必芁がある」
    "There are concerns regarding the condition regarding his/her living conditions, thus it is necessary to review the living conditions for some time."
    　
  • 「婚姻関係が䞍安定であるため、その珟圚および将来の生掻状態の掚移を今しばらく芳察する必芁がある」
    "The marriage appears to be unstable, thus it is necessary to review the current and future living condition for some time."
    　
  • 「玠行および生掻態床を今しばらく芳察する必芁がある」
    "The applicant's [lack of good] behavior and/or lifestyle needs addition review."
    　
  • 「婚姻生掻、経枈力を考慮し、今しばらくその生掻状態を芳察するのが盞圓」
    "Additional review regarding whether the living condition corresponds to the married life and the economic conditions."
Granted, these reasons are not very specific, and by policy the case workers at the Legal Affairs Bureau are not required to give you a specific reason. However, immigration lawyers say it doesn't hurt to ask.

According to the immigration lawyers, the top two reasons for rejection are:
  1. 「道路亀通法違反がらみ」 (moving traffic violations)
  2. 「皎金の申告がらみ」 (messed up tax returns)
These problems can be fixed by getting into compliance and time. As for problems that probably can't be fixed with time: 凶悪犯 {kyōakuhan} (serious crimes) such as 殺人 {satsujin} (murder) and 匷盗 {gōtō} (robbery).

There are some rejections that don't fit the above pattern. For example, there was the case of a man fathering many children out of wedlock while being married. He was rejected for reasons of welfare (alimony payments & child support) and failing the "good character" requirement.

The most egregious case of a person not getting accepted was from a woman who had attempted to naturalize three times. That person's criminal record had: shoplifting, pickpocketing, theft, prostitution, violation of the adult establishment law, tax evasion, drug offenses, prepaid card forgery, and violation of the immigration & refugee law.

That person never did successfully naturalize and gave up after her third attempt.

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