Japan Raises Residency Requirement for Citizenship to 10 Years
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The Japanese government has introduced tougher conditions for foreign nationals seeking citizenship, increasing the minimum residency period from five to ten consecutive years. The new directive is set to take effect from April 1 as part of broader efforts to tighten the naturalisation process.
Officials from the Justice Ministry confirmed that the revised framework also includes stricter documentation requirements, aimed at ensuring more rigorous screening of applicants. The policy shift reflects growing concern among lawmakers over the perceived ease of obtaining Japanese nationality.
According to the ministry, applicants will now be required to provide two years of social insurance records alongside five years of tax payment documentation, expanding significantly on previous requirements.
Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi explained that the move was prompted by debates within parliament, where concerns were raised about citizenship being easier to secure than permanent residency. He noted that citizenship carries significant legal and civic responsibilities, including voting rights.
Authorities, however, maintained that the changes are not expected to disrupt ongoing applications, as most successful candidates already exceed the new ten-year residency threshold.
The ministry clarified that the adjustment affects administrative guidelines rather than the core nationality law, which still formally stipulates a five-year residency requirement. Nonetheless, the updated measures effectively align citizenship expectations more closely with those for permanent residency.
Applicants who submitted their requests before the April 1 deadline will continue to be evaluated under the previous rules, with final approvals remaining subject to ministerial discretion.
The policy revision follows sustained scrutiny from lawmakers who argued that the process for acquiring citizenship should reflect its long-term implications. Official data shows that over 9,000 foreign nationals were granted Japanese citizenship in 2025, with the majority coming from China and South Korea, while nearly one million foreigners currently hold permanent residency status in the country
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