The Japanese government and ruling parties have begun considering extending the residency requirement for naturalization from the current five years to at least 10 years in principle. This move aims to align the nationality rules with those for permanent residency. The idea originates from a policy proposal by the Japan Innovation Party in September.
On Monday, informed sources reported that the Japanese government and ruling parties started discussions to tighten the requirements for acquiring Japanese nationality. Currently, naturalization requires five years of residency in principle, but the plan is to extend this to 10 years or longer. The change would be implemented by adjusting the administration of the nationality law, rather than revising it outright.
This adjustment seeks to bring naturalization rules in line with the 10-year residency needed for permanent residency. Naturalization grants successful applicants a stronger legal status, and critics have long noted its requirements were laxer by comparison.
The push traces back to a September policy proposal from the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), which was in opposition at the time but has since become a junior ruling party. The Justice Ministry is involved, and the move could affect expatriates seeking citizenship.
