(Tokyo, 29th) The requirements for naturalization, i.e., acquiring Japanese nationality, will become stricter starting from April. The required continuous period of residence for applicants will be raised from the current “more than 5 years” in principle to “more than 10 years.” In addition, the period for confirming an applicant’s tax payments will be extended from one year to five years, and the applicant’s social insurance payments for the past two years will also be checked.
In January this year, the Japanese government compiled a new basic policy for foreign nationals called the “Comprehensive Response Strategy.” This new policy, centering on national security and social order, entails a comprehensive overhaul of policies for foreigners, including strengthening requirements for permanent residency and naturalization, strategies to address over-tourism, and framework regulations regarding land acquisition by foreigners.
Under the current system, permanent residence in principle requires residing in Japan for over 10 years, but naturalization—granting the right to vote—is only set at 5 years, which is lower than the requirement for permanent residence and is considered unbalanced. At a press conference following the cabinet meeting on the 27th, Minister of Justice Yoshihiko Hiraoka stated that the system will be adjusted, raising the requirement in principle to more than 10 years of residence in Japan, as well as confirming the applicant's integration into Japanese society.
According to the Sankei Shimbun, Japan’s “Nationality Act” stipulates that the minimum requirement for naturalization is “over 5 years of residence,” but as a practical measure, this will be raised to “in principle, over 10 years,” effective from April 1st.
This tightening is not a legal amendment but is implemented through adjustment in administrative practice. “In principle, over 10 years of residence” will be introduced as one of the criteria for determining whether an applicant has integrated into Japanese society. However, those who are spouses of Japanese nationals or have made special contributions to Japan may still qualify as exceptions and be granted naturalization even if they have not yet reached 10 years of residence.
According to the Ministry of Justice, even for naturalization applications submitted before March 31, if approval has not been granted before the new system comes into effect, examination will be based on the new requirements.
Meanwhile, previously only one year of resident tax and social insurance payment records had to be submitted with the application; this will be increased to five years of resident tax and two years of social insurance payment records—now in line with the current standards for permanent residence approval.