Choice of Nationality
1. Choice of Nationality
Those who have Japanese nationality and other foreign nationalities (a person of multiple nationality) must select one of the nationalities by a certain time limit (Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Japanese Nationality Act).
If they do not choose their nationality by the deadline, they may lose their Japanese nationality.
In addition, the nearest Legal Affairs Bureau / Regional Bureau of Legal Affairs (Legal Affairs Bureau website), Japanese embassies and consulates in foreign countries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) or municipal offices conduct consultations about procedures to choose nationality.
If they do not choose their nationality by the deadline, they may lose their Japanese nationality.
In addition, the nearest Legal Affairs Bureau / Regional Bureau of Legal Affairs (Legal Affairs Bureau website), Japanese embassies and consulates in foreign countries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) or municipal offices conduct consultations about procedures to choose nationality.
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Choice of Nationality
2. Those who must make a choice of nationality
- General examples of multiple nationality include the following.
(1) A child born to a mother with Japanese nationality and a father with the nationality of a country with the “principle of paternal blood” (Note 1) (Ex: a child born to a mother with Japanese nationality and a father with Iranian nationality)
(2) A child born to a mother or father with the nationality of a country with the “principle of parental blood” (Note 2) (Ex: a child born to a father (or mother) with Japanese nationality and a mother (or father) with South Korean nationality)
(3) A child of a mother or father (or parents) with Japanese nationality born in a country with the “principle of birthplace” (Note 3) (Ex: a child of parents with Japanese nationality born in the United States, Canada, Brazil or Peru)
(4) A person with Japanese nationality who acquired foreign nationality by the acknowledgement of a foreign father, the adoption of foreign children, or marriage with a foreign national.
(5) A person who continues to have their previous foreign nationality even after acquiring Japanese nationality by notification of acquisition of nationality.
Please note that nationality is determined by each country as the exclusive right of the country. Legal systems in foreign countries may change. To confirm the legal system of a foreign country, please contact the foreign government or foreign government office in Japan.
(Note 1) The “principle of paternal blood” is the principle of giving the nationality of a country to a child born to a father with the nationality of the country. (A form of jus sanguinis.)
(Note 2) “Principle of parental blood” is the principle of giving the nationality of a country to a child born to a father or mother with the nationality of the country. (A form of jus sanguinis.)
(Note 3) “Principle of birthplace” is the principle of giving the nationality of a country to a child born in the country. (Jus soli.)
(1) A child born to a mother with Japanese nationality and a father with the nationality of a country with the “principle of paternal blood” (Note 1) (Ex: a child born to a mother with Japanese nationality and a father with Iranian nationality)
(2) A child born to a mother or father with the nationality of a country with the “principle of parental blood” (Note 2) (Ex: a child born to a father (or mother) with Japanese nationality and a mother (or father) with South Korean nationality)
(3) A child of a mother or father (or parents) with Japanese nationality born in a country with the “principle of birthplace” (Note 3) (Ex: a child of parents with Japanese nationality born in the United States, Canada, Brazil or Peru)
(4) A person with Japanese nationality who acquired foreign nationality by the acknowledgement of a foreign father, the adoption of foreign children, or marriage with a foreign national.
(5) A person who continues to have their previous foreign nationality even after acquiring Japanese nationality by notification of acquisition of nationality.
Please note that nationality is determined by each country as the exclusive right of the country. Legal systems in foreign countries may change. To confirm the legal system of a foreign country, please contact the foreign government or foreign government office in Japan.
(Note 1) The “principle of paternal blood” is the principle of giving the nationality of a country to a child born to a father with the nationality of the country. (A form of jus sanguinis.)
(Note 2) “Principle of parental blood” is the principle of giving the nationality of a country to a child born to a father or mother with the nationality of the country. (A form of jus sanguinis.)
(Note 3) “Principle of birthplace” is the principle of giving the nationality of a country to a child born in the country. (Jus soli.)
3. Period within which the choice of nationality must be made
- With respect to Japanese nationality, the period to choose nationality differs based on the time when multiple nationality was acquired.
(1) Japanese nationals who have acquired multiple nationality on or after January 1, 1985
a. If they have acquired multiple nationality before becoming 20 years of age, the choice of nationality shall be made before reaching 22 years of age.
(From April 1, 2022, if they have acquired multiple nationality before becoming 18 years of age, the choice of nationality shall be made before reaching 20 years of age.)
b. If they have acquired multiple nationality on or after the day when they reach 20 years of age, the choice of nationality shall be made within two years after the day when they acquired the second nationality.
(From April 1, 2022, if they have acquired multiple nationality on or after the day when they reach 18 years of age, the choice of nationality shall be made within two years after the day when they acquired the second nationality.)
* If those who have acquired multiple nationality on or after January 1, 1985 fail to make the choice of nationality within the above-mentioned period, they may be notified by the Minister of Justice that they are required to choose one of the nationalities they possess. If they fail to choose their nationality, they may lose their Japanese nationality.
(From April 1, 2022, if they have acquired multiple nationality before becoming 18 years of age, the choice of nationality shall be made before reaching 20 years of age.)
b. If they have acquired multiple nationality on or after the day when they reach 20 years of age, the choice of nationality shall be made within two years after the day when they acquired the second nationality.
(From April 1, 2022, if they have acquired multiple nationality on or after the day when they reach 18 years of age, the choice of nationality shall be made within two years after the day when they acquired the second nationality.)
* If those who have acquired multiple nationality on or after January 1, 1985 fail to make the choice of nationality within the above-mentioned period, they may be notified by the Minister of Justice that they are required to choose one of the nationalities they possess. If they fail to choose their nationality, they may lose their Japanese nationality.
(2) Japanese nationals who have acquired multiple nationality before January 1, 1985
a. If they were under 20 years of age on January 1, 1985, the choice of nationality shall be made before they reach 22 years of age.
b. If they were 20 years of age or older on January 1, 1985, the choice of nationality shall be made within two years after January 1, 1985 (by December 31, 1986).
* If those who have acquired multiple nationality before January 1, 1985 fail to make the choice of nationality within the above-mentioned period, they shall be deemed to have declared that they choose to be a Japanese national and renounce the foreign nationality, at the time of the expiration of such period.
b. If they were 20 years of age or older on January 1, 1985, the choice of nationality shall be made within two years after January 1, 1985 (by December 31, 1986).
* If those who have acquired multiple nationality before January 1, 1985 fail to make the choice of nationality within the above-mentioned period, they shall be deemed to have declared that they choose to be a Japanese national and renounce the foreign nationality, at the time of the expiration of such period.
4. How to choose nationality
Concerning the choice of nationality, please make the choice voluntarily by either of the methods listed below.
In addition, if the person trying to choose nationality is under 15 years of age, please have a legal representative undergo the procedures on their behalf.
In addition, if the person trying to choose nationality is under 15 years of age, please have a legal representative undergo the procedures on their behalf.
(1) Choosing Japanese nationality
a. Method of renouncing the foreign nationality
After you have renounced the foreign nationality in accordance with the laws of the foreign country concerned , you are required to submit a “notification of loss of foreign nationality”, which shall be accompanied by a document proving the loss of nationality, to the office of a city, ward, town or village (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad). Please contact the relevant foreign government or foreign government office in Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) for renunciation procedures.
b. Declaring Japanese nationality
You are required to submit a notification of a declaration of Japanese nationality, in which you swear that you choose to be a Japanese national and that you renounce the foreign nationality, to the office of city, ward, town or village (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad).
By making a declaration of Japanese nationality, the obligation to choose Japanese nationality under Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Japanese Nationality Act will be fulfilled. However, whether the foreign nationality will actually be lost through the declaration depends on the system of the foreign country. If the person has the nationality of a country with a legal system where they do not lose nationality through this declaration, they must endeavor to renounce their foreign nationality (Article 16, Paragraph 1 of the Japanese Nationality Act). Please contact the relevant foreign government or foreign government office in Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) for renunciation procedures.
After you have renounced the foreign nationality in accordance with the laws of the foreign country concerned , you are required to submit a “notification of loss of foreign nationality”, which shall be accompanied by a document proving the loss of nationality, to the office of a city, ward, town or village (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad). Please contact the relevant foreign government or foreign government office in Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) for renunciation procedures.
b. Declaring Japanese nationality
You are required to submit a notification of a declaration of Japanese nationality, in which you swear that you choose to be a Japanese national and that you renounce the foreign nationality, to the office of city, ward, town or village (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad).
By making a declaration of Japanese nationality, the obligation to choose Japanese nationality under Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Japanese Nationality Act will be fulfilled. However, whether the foreign nationality will actually be lost through the declaration depends on the system of the foreign country. If the person has the nationality of a country with a legal system where they do not lose nationality through this declaration, they must endeavor to renounce their foreign nationality (Article 16, Paragraph 1 of the Japanese Nationality Act). Please contact the relevant foreign government or foreign government office in Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) for renunciation procedures.
(2) Choosing a foreign nationality
a. Method of renouncing Japanese nationality
You are required to submit a notification renouncing Japanese nationality, which shall be accompanied by a copy of the family register, a document proving your domicile and a document proving that you possess the foreign nationality, to the Legal Affairs Bureau or the District Legal Affairs Bureau (Legal Affairs Bureau website) which has jurisdiction over your domicile (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad).
b. Choosing a foreign nationality
If you have chosen a foreign nationality in accordance with the laws of the foreign country concerned, you are required to submit a notification of loss of nationality, which shall be accompanied by a document proving that you have chosen the foreign nationality, to the office of a city, ward, town or village (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad).
You are required to submit a notification renouncing Japanese nationality, which shall be accompanied by a copy of the family register, a document proving your domicile and a document proving that you possess the foreign nationality, to the Legal Affairs Bureau or the District Legal Affairs Bureau (Legal Affairs Bureau website) which has jurisdiction over your domicile (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad).
b. Choosing a foreign nationality
If you have chosen a foreign nationality in accordance with the laws of the foreign country concerned, you are required to submit a notification of loss of nationality, which shall be accompanied by a document proving that you have chosen the foreign nationality, to the office of a city, ward, town or village (if you live in Japan) or to the embassy or the consulate of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website) (if you live abroad).
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Specific method of the choice of nationality
Leaflet (PDF)
- The choice of nationality (Japanese/English)
- ¿Ha optado usted por una de sus nacionalidades? (Japanese/Spanish)
- OPÇÃO DE NACIONALIDADE? (Japanese/Portuguese)
- ¿Ha optado usted por una de sus nacionalidades? (Japanese/Spanish)
- OPÇÃO DE NACIONALIDADE? (Japanese/Portuguese)
- If you are a Japanese citizen with multiple nationality, then you must choose one nationality.
- Civil Affairs Bureau Top Page
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