Citizenship Pathways and Requirements
The Japanese Nationality Law is based on lineage. A child whose father or mother is a Japanese national at the time of his or her birth acquires Japanese nationality.[26] A person who is not a Japanese national (foreigner) may acquire Japanese nationality by naturalization.[27] In general, the following conditions are required for naturalization:A foreigner musthave been domiciled in Japan for five years or more consecutively;be twenty years old or older and of full capacity to act according to the law of his or her home country;be of upright conduct;be able to secure a livelihood by his or her own property or ability, or those of his or her spouse or other relatives with whom he or she lives on common living expenses;lose other nationalities, if he or she has any, by the acquisition of Japanese nationality; andhave never plotted, advocated, or been involved with a political party or other organization that has plotted or advocated the overthrow of the Constitution of Japan or the Japanese government.