Japanese naturalisation
kika · Official name: Naturalization under the Nationality Act
Foreign nationals can apply to the Minister of Justice for Japanese nationality through the Legal Affairs Bureau. The general conditions are five consecutive years of domicile in Japan with valid status, age 18 or over (from 1 April 2022), upright conduct, the ability to make a living (judged at family level), and having no other nationality or losing it on naturalisation. Japan does not generally allow dual nationality for naturalised citizens. Naturalisation is discretionary.
Life in Japan
Finance
3
Currency
Japanese Yen
JPY
Japanese Yen
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–45%
Income tax (national)
Consumption tax 10%
Plus 2.1% reconstruction surtax on national tax and about 10% local inhabitant tax; 45% applies above JPY 40 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#59 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Premium
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Long-term foreign residents of Japan, including spouses and children of Japanese nationals (who can face eased conditions under the Nationality Act).
Eligibility
Residence
Sign in to check this route against your profileDomiciled in Japan for five years or more consecutively, with valid residence status throughout.
Age and capacity
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need to be 18 or older and have legal capacity under the law of your home country.
Minimum age
From 1 April 2022- Current minimum age
- 18
- Before 1 April 2022
- 20
Official wording
18 or older (20 or older before 1 April 2022) and having legal capacity under the law of your home country.
Upright conduct
Sign in to check this route against your profileJudged by social norms, including criminal record, tax payment and any trouble caused to society.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Steps to apply
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Want a licensed advisor to check your case?
Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Japan. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in Japan
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
