Can people with disabilities naturalize?

NHK教育放送 バリバリ
Appearing on NHK's Barrier-free Variety TV show, 3rd from left
It has been 11 months and 19 days since I last breathed. 

I think many people are a bit anxious about their naturalization application, but I was particularly nervous.  The reason? I have what would be classified as a severe disability.

Since my life is not threatened by my disability, I never have considered it “severe,” but my cerebral palsy affects all four limbs and I rely on an electric wheelchair and personal care attendants to get through each day.

In addition to the misinformation on naturalization to Japan we have all read (and this site thankfully refutes), another story had stuck in my mind because it hit close to home.  It had nothing to do with Japan, but my home country of Canada where a family from England was refused citizenship on the grounds that their disabled son would add to an already over-burdened welfare system.  Would the same thing happen to me here in Japan?  I was scared, but the encouragement of a co-worker who had recently naturalized, and my strong desire to live the rest of my life in Japan made me at least give it a try.

There was no hiding my disability when I went for my first visit – it took about an 8-point turn just to get in the cubicle!  The man from the Tokyo Ministry of Justice office seemed to not be fazed by my disability and simply told me what documents were needed.

When filling everything out, I knew I could not hide my disability.  Not just because the Tokyo branch worker saw me, but because I receive a disability stipend from my ward which would show up on the financial records, and I needed to supply recent pictures. So, there was no hiding.  I decided to use my Motivation for Naturalization Essay to show my disability as a positive aspect.  I highlighted my involvement volunteering with a local group that speaks at schools about disabilities, I shared about my opportunity to appear on NHK’s Barrier-free Variety TV show, and I told them about my website (Accessible Japan) which showcases Japan as an excellent travel destination for people with disabilities.

The man who helped me prepare my application at the Tokyo office was happy to see I was on the NHK show because his wife is a fan!  I tried to include a DVD of the show but was told it wasn't necessary. (^_^)

After getting assigned a case worker, I had my home visit and interview two months later. Nothing was asked about my disability.  When the case worker visited my home, I tried to show him the adaptations etc, but he seemed to have no interest other than a 1 minute check.

Since I had heard that results could come out as soon as four months after applying, I have been checking Kanpo every day since January. (^_^)

I got a call last week from the Tokyo office asking if I was planning on moving or leaving the country in the next few weeks. After saying “no,” I was told I would find out this month.  So, nearly a year of holding my breath finally came to an end when I saw my name in Kanpo.

As I am not privy to the inner workings of the Ministry of Justice, I will never know if:
  • My disability was a non-issue and I was worried for nothing
  • It was an issue, but after deliberation they still decided in my favor
  • They were worried about bad PR if they rejected my application since the government had just passed a law that banned discrimination on the basis of disability. (^_^)

(I doubt it was the last one, but it still makes me smile, though.)

While I cannot say that anyone with a disability can naturalize without any issues (as there are so many different types of disabilities), I can say that I have a disability, and I am now a naturalized Japanese citizen.

(Note: While I do receive a stipend from the government, I also have a full-time job working in IT and international relations, as well as a part-time job proofreading translated documents. So, I am providing for myself.)

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