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How to Obtain Japanese Nationality?
I’m French and have been living in Japan for five years. I came to Japan as I have been interested in Japanese animation since my childhood and loved Japan so much. For the first two years I studied Japanese at a language school and after graduating I have been working as a French language teacher. Is it possible for me to obtain Japanese nationality?
There are some, but very few who will apply for naturalization and then be granted Japanese nationality. In order to obtain Japanese nationality, it is necessary for you to have been living in Japan for more than five years, in addition to being able to read and write Japanese (only hiragana and katakana are permissible) and having no delinquency in paying tax. In your case you seem to have no problem regarding Japanese ability; however, it may cause you a problem that you stayed as a foreign student for the first two years.
“More than five years” means that you have actually lived in Japan with a working visa or spouse visa and it doesn’t include the period staying as a foreign student. It is advisable for you to consult with an attorney or staff of the immigration office for further details.
(From Feburuary Issue 2010)
Advisor: NIITSU Kyohei (Immigration Lawyer)
