Do I Need to Renounce My Original Nationality to Obtain Permanent Residence in Japan?#
A common and critical question for foreign nationals considering long-term residency in Japan is, “Will I lose my original nationality if I become a permanent resident?” This is a significant concern that impacts long-term life planning. To be clear from the outset: you are not required to renounce your original nationality to obtain a Permit for Permanent Residence in Japan.
This article provides an objective and detailed explanation of why you can keep your nationality, clarifying the fundamental and often misunderstood difference between “Permanent Residence” and “Naturalization.”
The Fundamental Difference: Permanent Residence vs. Naturalization#
The primary source of confusion regarding nationality stems from a misunderstanding of two distinct legal systems: Permanent Residence (永住, Eijū) and Naturalization (帰化, Kika). These two processes have entirely different objectives and legal foundations.
What is Permanent Residence?#
A Permit for Permanent Residence is a type of “status of residence” governed by Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. It legally grants a foreign national the right to reside in Japan indefinitely while retaining their original citizenship.
- Nationality: You maintain your original nationality. You do not become a Japanese citizen.
- Period of Stay: The period of stay becomes indefinite, eliminating the need for visa renewals.
- Freedom of Activities: Restrictions on employment and other activities are, in principle, lifted.
- Rights and Obligations: Your status as a foreign national remains unchanged. Therefore, you do not have the right to vote in Japanese elections, and you continue to use your home country’s passport. You are still obligated to carry and renew your Residence Card and must obtain a re-entry permit when leaving Japan.
Permanent Residence establishes your status as a “foreign national with the right to live in Japan permanently.”
What is Naturalization?#
Naturalization, on the other hand, is the process governed by the Nationality Act through which a foreign national acquires Japanese citizenship and becomes a Japanese national.
- Nationality: You acquire Japanese citizenship. As a general rule, this requires you to renounce your previous nationality.
- Legal Status: You gain the exact same rights and obligations as a native-born Japanese citizen.
- Rights and Obligations: You are issued a Japanese passport, granted the right to vote and run for public office, and a new family register (koseki) is created for you.
Japan’s Nationality Act does not, in principle, recognize dual nationality for adults. Therefore, a key condition for naturalization is that the applicant must renounce their original citizenship (though there are exceptions for citizens of countries where renunciation is not possible by an individual’s own will).
| Feature | Permanent Residence | Naturalization |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Immigration Control Act | Nationality Act |
| Nationality | Unchanged (Remains a foreign national) | Becomes Japanese (Original nationality is generally lost) |
| Passport | Home country’s passport | Japanese passport |
| Voting Rights | None | Yes |
| Residence Card | Required | Not required (Becomes a Japanese citizen) |
| Deportation | Still possible under certain conditions | Not subject to deportation |
Why Renunciation of Nationality Is Not a Requirement for Permanent Residence#
The application for a Permit for Permanent Residence is screened based on criteria set forth in the Immigration Control Act. The three main requirements are:
- Good Conduct: The applicant must abide by Japanese laws and lead a life that is socially irreproachable as a resident.
- Sufficient Assets or Skills for an Independent Livelihood: The applicant must not be a public burden and must be expected to maintain a stable life in the future.
- The Applicant’s Permanent Residence is Deemed to be in Japan’s National Interest: This broadly includes factors like having resided in Japan for a continuous period (generally 10 years) and fulfilling public duties such as paying taxes.
As these requirements show, renouncing one’s original nationality is not part of the screening process. The system of Permanent Residence is exclusively concerned with one’s status of residence in Japan, not one’s national identity.
The Significance of Holding Permanent Residence#
The ability to live in Japan permanently while retaining your nationality offers several key advantages.
- Connection to Your Home Country: By keeping your citizenship, you maintain your legal ties and personal identity with your country of origin. This simplifies travel and administrative procedures related to your home country.
- Stable Foundation for Life in Japan: Eliminating the need for visa renewals makes it easier to plan your life in Japan for the long term, including securing housing loans and building a career.
- Freedom of Choice: As a permanent resident, you retain the option to apply for naturalization in the future or to continue living in Japan as a foreign national. It is a status that provides stability while keeping future options open.
Conclusion#
Obtaining a Permit for Permanent Residence in Japan does not require you to renounce your original nationality. Permanent Residence is a “status of residence” that allows you to live in Japan indefinitely as a foreign citizen.
In contrast, the process of “Naturalization” is for those who wish to acquire Japanese citizenship and become a Japanese national, which generally requires giving up one’s original citizenship.
It is crucial to carefully consider which path—Permanent Residence or Naturalization—is best suited for you, based on your personal life plan, your sense of identity, and your relationship with your home country.