🇯🇵 Japan · Guide

Japan citizenship route guide

An overview of Japan's naturalisation process and how it differs from permanent residence. Naturalisation is a separate application to the Legal Affairs Bureau and is not an automatic next stage of any visa.

Published routes

Only records with complete current review coverage and official sources are shown.

Ordinary naturalisation application

Japanese nationality is obtained only through a separate application and permission by the Minister of Justice. Long-term residence, a work status or permanent residence never converts automatically into citizenship.

TimingCheck the official residence-period rule.

View settlement route and official sources →

This page is a summary of recorded data, not legal text or individual advice. Policies, fees, processing times and documents can change; use the official sources on each route page.

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