N02 Seven requirements for ordinary naturalization

There are 3 types of naturalization

1. Ordinary Naturalization
2. Simplified Naturalization
3. Special Naturalization

And this time, I would like to explain the 7 requirements for 3. Ordinary Naturalization.
(Next time, I will talk about the applicable conditions for 2. Simplified Naturalization. And Regarding 3. special naturalization, it is said that “it is permitted for foreigners who have made special achievements in Japan”, but there is no precedent for permission so far, so I will omit it on this website.)

If these seven requirements are not met, naturalization will not be permitted in principle.

1. Housing requirements

First of all, it is necessary to “continue to live in Japan for more than 5 years”.
Since it is “continuously”, if you have stayed abroad for a total of 100 days or more in a year or 3 months or more in a row in the past 5 years, you cannot apply for naturalization.
(Unfortunately, even long-term overseas business trips ordered by the company are not permitted.)

In addition, within the past 5 years, it is necessary to have received a valid working status of residence (NOT a student status) and have been working for at least 3 years.

However, as an exception, if you have lived in Japan for 10 years or more, the above working period will be relaxed to 1 year.

2. Ability requirements

Applicants for naturalization must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application and must be an adult under the law of their home country.

For your reference, here is a list of adult ages in countries where many people have recently naturalized to Japan.

As an exception to the ability requirement, minors can apply for naturalization only if they are naturalized at the same time as their parents are.
By the way, if you are under 15 years old, a legal representative (basically your parents) will apply on your behalf.

3. Conduct requirements

This is the most important requirements when applying for naturalization.
If you get a refusal, it is often the case that you do not meet this requirement.

First of all, it is necessary for company employees to pay all taxes and pensions, including those of family members.
There is little need to worry too much if you are subject to withholding tax, but those who have received ordinary tax collection after filing a tax return by themselves should pay for the past year without omission before considering the naturalization application.
Also, if you have an overseas family member as a dependent for tax saving purposes, we recommend that you first remove that support, file a revised tax return and pay the difference before applying for naturalization.

For company managers and executives, in addition to the above, it is necessary to pay various corporate taxes (corporation tax, etc.) and to join the welfare pension (ko-sei-nenkin) and pay insurance premiums.

In the case of a sole proprietor, in addition to the above, it is also necessary to pay taxes for sole proprietorships (business tax, etc.) , and if you have 5 or more employees, you must also enroll in the welfare pension (ko-sei-nenkin) and pay insurance premiums.

Regarding traffic violations, if it is a minor violation such as a parking violation, it is okay if you just had about 5 cases in the past 5 years.
However, for serious violations such as DUI, we recommend that you wait a considerable period before applying for naturalization.

4. Livelihood requirements

This requirement will determine whether or not you will be able to support yourself financially without having to rely on public assistance in the future.

It’s better to have a lot of savings, but the point is whether you can earn a continuous monthly income.

If you are a company employee, you must have a monthly after-tax income of 200,000 yen  or more, or an annual income of 3 million yen or more.

Company managers and executives need executive compensation of 180,000 yen or more.

If you have filed bankruptcy in the past, you can apply for naturalization 7 years after the bankruptcy.
Regarding debt, there is no problem if the repayment plan is reasonable and you have repaid without delay.

5. Loss of nationality requirement

Since dual nationality is not permitted in Japan, it is necessary to renounce the nationality of the home country at the same time as naturalization.

If you cannot take the procedure in your home country due to unavoidable circumstances, you may be treated as an exception to the loss of nationality requirement.

6. Thought requirements

It will be difficult to apply for naturalization if you belong to a terrorist or anti-social group that tries to overthrow the Japanese government by force or spread its violent ideas.

7. Japanese proficiency requirements

Japanese proficiency equivalent to that of a 3rd grade elementary school student is required.
There is no problem if you have N3 or higher in the Japanese proficiency test.
However, even if you can have daily conversations, but are worried about reading and writing, you will need to study before applying for naturalization.
Actually, at the discretion of the Legal Bureau officer, a Japanese language test may be conducted at the time of the interview.
It seems that there are some cases where the test is given to those who are not from the kanji-speaking world, but on the contrary there are other cases where no test is required for those from the kanji-speaking world.

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