“I want to acquire Japanese nationality” “I want to confirm if I meet the conditions for naturalization” — Inui Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Tenjinbashi, Osaka, responds to such requests. The naturalization application involves a large amount of paperwork and takes time to prepare, but our office provides consistent support from document preparation to accompanying consultations at the Legal Affairs Bureau. First consultation is free.
What is a Naturalization Application (Nationality Act Articles 5 to 9)
Naturalization is the process by which a foreigner acquires Japanese nationality with the permission of the Minister of Justice (as stipulated in Nationality Act Articles 5 to 9). Once naturalization is granted, the individual renounces their foreign nationality and becomes a Japanese citizen.
The major differences between permanent residence (residence status “Permanent Resident”) and naturalization are as follows:
| Naturalization | Permanent Residence | |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Acquire Japanese nationality (renounce foreign nationality) | Remain with foreign nationality |
| Voting Rights | Yes | No |
| Passport | Acquire Japanese passport | Retain foreign passport |
| Residence Card | Not required (same as Japanese citizens) | Required (renew every 7 years) |
| Activity Restrictions | None | None |
If you want to “live in Japan forever,” “give your child Japanese nationality,” or “participate in elections,” consider naturalization. If you want “stable residence while maintaining foreign nationality,” consider permanent residence application.
Types and Requirements of Naturalization
Standard Naturalization (Nationality Act Article 5)
This is the general category of naturalization, requiring fulfillment of all six conditions:
- Residence Condition: Have a residence in Japan for more than 5 consecutive years
- Capability Condition: Be 18 years or older and have reached the age of majority under the law of your home country
- Behavior Condition: Have good conduct (comprehensive judgment of criminal record, traffic violations, tax payment status, etc.)
- Livelihood Condition: Be able to maintain a livelihood through the assets or skills of oneself or a spouse or other relatives who share the same livelihood
- Prevention of Dual Nationality Condition: Be a person who does not have nationality or should lose previous nationality by naturalization
- Constitution Compliance Condition: Have not formed or joined a party or other organization that plans or advocates the violent destruction of the Japanese Constitution or the government established under it after its enforcement
Simplified Naturalization (Nationality Act Articles 6 to 8)
For those with a special relationship with Japan, the residence condition and others are relaxed.
| Target (Main Examples) | Relaxation Content | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a Japanese national who has been married for more than 3 years and has had a residence in Japan for more than 1 consecutive year | 5-year residence requirement is not necessary | Nationality Act Article 7 |
| Spouse of a Japanese national who has been married for more than 3 years and has had a residence abroad for more than 3 consecutive years | Residence requirement in Japan is not necessary | Nationality Act Article 7 |
| Child of a Japanese national (excluding adopted children) who has had a residence in Japan for more than 1 consecutive year | Residence and capability conditions are relaxed | Nationality Act Article 6, Item 1 |
| Born in Japan, and either father or mother was born in Japan, with a residence in Japan for more than 3 consecutive years | Residence and capability conditions are relaxed | Nationality Act Article 6, Item 2 |
| Person who lost Japanese nationality (e.g., born in Japan) | Residence and capability conditions are relaxed | Nationality Act Article 8 |
Which category you fall into depends on your individual circumstances. Please consult with our office.
⚠️ Role of Administrative Scrivener in Naturalization Application
For naturalization applications, the applicant must appear in person at the Legal Affairs Bureau to apply. The application submission proxy system to the Immigration Bureau (where an administrative scrivener submits on behalf) does not apply to naturalization applications.
The roles our office undertakes are as follows:
- Confirmation of application requirements and diagnosis of naturalization possibility
- Support for understanding and collecting the necessary documents
- Preparation of application forms, resumes, motivation letters, family overview documents, etc.
- Support for translation of home country documents (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese)
- Accompanying pre-consultations at the Legal Affairs Bureau
- Support for responding to correction instructions from the Legal Affairs Bureau
We will fully support you to proceed smoothly from document preparation to submission.
Do You Have These Concerns?
- Unsure if you meet the conditions for naturalization
- Worried about naturalization due to past crimes or traffic violations
- Difficulty in obtaining or translating home country documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
- Don’t know how to write a motivation letter or resume
- Afraid to consult the Legal Affairs Bureau alone
- Married to a Japanese national. Want to confirm if simplified naturalization is applicable
- Want to obtain Japanese nationality for your child
Main Required Documents for Naturalization Application
The documents for a naturalization application vary greatly depending on nationality, occupation, family structure, etc. Below are examples of typical documents.
Application Documents (Common)
- Naturalization Application Form
- Resume (Legal Affairs Bureau prescribed form)
- Family Overview Document & Motivation Letter for Naturalization
- Document outlining the overview of livelihood
- Photo (5cm x 5cm)
Residence & Identity Documents
- Resident Record (for all household members, with registered domicile)
- Copy of Residence Card & Passport (all pages)
- Documents proving residence status in Japan (notification of permission for change or renewal of residence status, etc.)
Home Country Documents (Japanese Translation Required)
- Nationality Certificate & Passport
- Birth Certificate (for applicant and parents)
- Marriage Certificate & Family Relationship Certificate
- Criminal Record Certificate (Police Certificate)
Tax & Income Related Documents
- Resident Tax Payment Certificate (for the past 3-5 years)
- Withholding Tax Slip or Final Tax Return (for the past 3 years)
- Records of Pension & Health Insurance Payments
*The above are examples. The actual required documents will be confirmed through pre-consultation with the jurisdictional Legal Affairs Bureau or Regional Legal Affairs Bureau. Our office will accompany and support you.
Application Process
Free Consultation (Our Office)
Contact us by phone or form. We will ask about your residence history, nationality, family structure, behavior status, etc., and inform you of the possibility and category of naturalization (standard or simplified) for free.
Document Collection & Preparation
We will provide a list of necessary documents and support the acquisition and translation of home country documents, as well as the preparation of application forms, motivation letters, resumes, etc.
Pre-consultation at the Legal Affairs Bureau (Accompaniment Available)
We will make a reservation for a pre-consultation at the Osaka Legal Affairs Bureau (or jurisdictional Legal Affairs Bureau) and have the documents checked. Our office staff will accompany and support you.
Submission of Application Documents (Applicant Appearance)
The submission of documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau must be done by the applicant in person (naturalization applications are not subject to the application submission proxy system). You will bring the complete set of documents prepared by our office for submission.
Examination, Interview, and Approval Notification
After document examination, investigation, and interview by the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Minister of Justice will decide on approval. The examination period is approximately 6 months to 1 year (varies by case and Legal Affairs Bureau). After approval, it is announced in the official gazette and Japanese nationality is acquired.
Estimated Duration and Fees
| Application Type | Our Fee (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Naturalization Application | 198,000円〜 |
| Free (government fee) | ー |
※The above fees are estimates only and may vary depending on case complexity and individual circumstances. See fee schedule or free consultation for details.
*We cannot guarantee that “approval will be granted.” For details, please check the fee schedule or free consultation.
Three Reasons to Choose Our Office
1. Support for Translation of Home Country Documents in 5 Languages
For naturalization applications, it is necessary to translate home country documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police certificates into Japanese. Our office supports Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, allowing us to provide comprehensive translation support.
2. Careful Support for Creating Motivation Letters and Resumes
One of the most important documents in a naturalization application is the “Motivation Letter for Naturalization.” We will work together to create a text that accurately conveys to the examiner why you want to acquire Japanese nationality.
3. Accompanying Legal Affairs Bureau Consultations & Continuous Follow-up
We provide continuous support from accompanying pre-consultations at the Legal Affairs Bureau to responding to corrections during the examination, until approval is granted. Let’s proceed together with our office without holding it all alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Requirements & Eligibility
- How is naturalization different from permanent residence?
- Naturalization is the process of acquiring Japanese nationality and renouncing foreign nationality, while permanent residence is the process of changing residence status to “Permanent Resident” while retaining foreign nationality. After naturalization, voting rights and eligibility for election arise, and you can obtain a Japanese passport. Which is appropriate depends on the situation, so please consult with us.
- I am married to a Japanese national. Can I naturalize immediately?
- Simplified naturalization under Article 7 of the Nationality Act may apply. If you have been married for more than 3 years and have had a residence in Japan for more than 1 consecutive year, the 5-year residence requirement is not necessary. However, behavior and livelihood conditions will continue to be examined. Please consult for details.
- I have past traffic violations or fines. Can I naturalize?
- If you have 1-2 minor traffic violations (such as fines), it does not immediately disqualify you from naturalization. However, serious violations such as drunk driving, speeding (major violations), multiple violations, or criminal penalties may affect the behavior condition examination. We will answer based on your individual situation, so please consult with us first.
- Can freelancers or self-employed individuals naturalize?
- Yes, they can. Regarding the livelihood condition, even if the applicant does not have income, it is recognized if they can live on the stable income of a spouse, etc. For self-employed individuals, tax returns and documents showing business continuity are important.
About Procedures & Documents
- Where do I submit the application?
- To the Legal Affairs Bureau or Regional Legal Affairs Bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. For those living in Osaka Prefecture, it is the Osaka Legal Affairs Bureau (Tanimachi 4-chome). The applicant must appear in person to apply for naturalization (application submission proxy is not applicable).
- Do I need to translate home country documents into Japanese?
- Yes, documents created in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. Translation can be done by a professional translation agency or the applicant themselves. Our office supports the translation of documents in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
- What should I do if I cannot obtain certificates from my home country?
- If it is difficult to obtain certificates due to the political situation in your home country, it is necessary to consult with the Legal Affairs Bureau. In some cases, alternative documents may be accepted. Please consult with us about your individual situation.
- Is there an interview during the examination period?
- Yes, there is an interview with the person in charge at the Legal Affairs Bureau. The interview will confirm the motivation for naturalization, living conditions in Japan, Japanese language ability, etc. Our office also supports preparation for the interview.
About After Naturalization
- Can I still use my native language name after naturalization?
- After naturalization, you will use the name recorded in the Japanese family register (written in Japanese characters). As a rule, you can freely choose a name that can be pronounced and written in Japanese. It is also possible to use a katakana representation of a foreign language name.
- What happens to foreign bank accounts or real estate after naturalization?
- Naturalization does not immediately result in the loss of foreign assets. However, changing nationality may affect the handling of foreign bank accounts or real estate. For tax and property matters, please consult with a tax accountant or other specialist.
- Does foreign nationality automatically disappear after naturalization is granted?
- In Japan, you acquire Japanese nationality through naturalization, but whether your original nationality automatically disappears depends on the laws of your original country. In many countries, it is automatically lost, but in some countries, notification may be required. Please check with the embassy or consulate of your original country in Japan.
Related Visas & Services
- Permanent Residence Application & Acquisition — For those who want to compare with naturalization
- Spouse of a Japanese National, etc. (Spouse Status of Residence) — Residence status prerequisite for simplified naturalization
- Work-related Status of Residence & Employment of Foreigners — Support for residence status before naturalization
- Long-term Resident — Flow from long-term resident to naturalization
- Application Process — From request to our office to completion
- Fee Schedule — List of fees for various applications
Contact & Free Consultation
The naturalization application involves many types of documents, and obtaining and translating home country documents takes time. The sooner you start, the more time you have to prepare. Even if you just want to know if you are eligible, please feel free to consult with us. First consultation is free.
| Phone | 06-6949-8756 |
| Business Hours | Weekdays 9:00-17:00 (Thursday 9:00-13:00) |
| Closed | Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays |
| Location | 〒530-0041 1-6-6 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Fuji Heights Room 201 |
The information on this page is as of May 2026. Laws and operations may change. For the latest information, please contact the Ministry of Justice Nationality Q&A or our office.