Certified Support Organization for Management Innovation

[2026 Update] Following the April 2022 revision of the Civil Code, the age requirement for naturalization capacity has changed to 18 and over. This article reflects that legal update.

Kumamoto Naturalization Application Support Specialists

For Those Who Want to Acquire Japanese Nationality

Full Support for Naturalization Permit Applications

Applying for naturalization requires gathering more than 60 types of documents, and the process from application to approval typically takes 10 months to over a year. Shionaga Law Office (Administrative Scrivener Corporation), based in Kumamoto, provides end-to-end support — from document preparation and collection to interview coaching. Our dedicated administrative scriveners walk alongside each applicant so they can proceed with confidence.

Document preparation and collection support
Assistance obtaining documents from your home country
Accompaniment to the Kumamoto Legal Affairs Bureau

1. What Is Naturalization? A Clear Explanation

Naturalization is a system in which a foreign national (someone who is not a Japanese citizen) acquires Japanese nationality with the permission of the Minister of Justice (Article 4 of the Nationality Act). Once naturalization is approved, a family registry (koseki) is created just as for Japanese citizens, and the person gains voting and candidacy rights, eligibility for public-sector jobs, and freedom from restrictions such as residence status renewals and re-entry permits — all significant benefits to daily life.

2024 Naturalization Approvals (Ministry of Justice Statistics) In 2024, a total of 8,863 naturalization applications were approved. By nationality, China led with 3,122 people, followed by South/North Korea (2,283), Nepal (585), and Brazil (498) — with applicants from Asian countries making up a large share.

Naturalization applications must be filed in person at the Legal Affairs Bureau (or by a parent/legal guardian if the applicant is under 15). An administrative scrivener can support the preparation and collection of documents and accompany the applicant at the time of filing, but cannot file the application on the applicant’s behalf.

⚠ Important: The Minister of Justice’s “Discretionary Authority” Unlike most other licensing procedures, naturalization is not automatically granted just because all requirements are met. Approval or denial rests within the discretionary authority of the Minister of Justice, who evaluates each case comprehensively. Once approved, the decision is published in the Official Gazette, and Japanese nationality is acquired as of that date.

2. The Seven Requirements for Naturalization

Article 5 of the Nationality Act sets out the general requirements for naturalization below. These represent only the minimum conditions — meeting all of them does not guarantee approval. Conversely, even applicants who do not meet every condition below may qualify under simplified naturalization (relaxed requirements).

① Residency Requirement (Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 1) Continuous residence (a genuine base of living) in Japan for five years or more. Interruptions break the continuity requirement, even if the total adds up to five years. At least three of the five years must be under a work-eligible visa status. Temporary departures under re-entry permits are generally not a problem, but extended absences may be treated as breaking continuity. This is the most commonly questioned requirement.

② Capacity Requirement (Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 2) — Revised Following the April 1, 2022 Civil Code revision, applicants must be 18 or older and possess legal capacity under the law of their home country (previously 20). If the age of majority in the home country is higher than in Japan (e.g., 21 in Indonesia), that higher age must be reached. Applicants under 18 may apply jointly with a parent. (2022 revision: changed from 20 to 18)

③ Good Conduct Requirement (Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 3) Conduct must be good. Criminal records, past offenses, traffic violations, accident history, and unpaid taxes are all reviewed. A criminal record or accident history does not automatically lead to denial — it is judged comprehensively. However, recent violations or unpaid obligations tend to weigh more heavily, so it’s important to resolve these before applying.

④ Means of Livelihood Requirement (Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 4) The applicant must be able to support themselves through their own assets or skills, or those of a spouse or relative sharing the same household finances. “Sharing household finances” is not limited to living together — for example, a student supported by parental remittances qualifies. There is no requirement to be wealthy; the standard is being able to maintain a “minimum standard of healthy and cultured living,” assessed based on total household finances.

⑤ Prevention of Dual Nationality Requirement (Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 5) The applicant must be stateless, or must lose their original nationality upon acquiring Japanese nationality. Japan does not generally recognize dual nationality. However, relaxed measures exist if the home country’s law does not permit renunciation of nationality.

⑥ Ideology and Constitutional Compliance Requirement (Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 6) Since the enforcement of the Japanese Constitution, the applicant must never have plotted or advocated the violent overthrow of the Constitution or the government established under it, nor have formed or joined any organization with such aims.

On Japanese Language Ability Japanese proficiency is not explicitly written into the law as a formal “requirement,” but the interview with the case officer after an application is accepted is conducted in Japanese. Everyday conversational Japanese (reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking) is expected. An interpreter may accompany applicants who are unsure of their Japanese, but the interviewing officer will still factor language ability into their overall assessment.

3. “Simplified Naturalization” — Where Requirements Are Relaxed

Applicants with close ties to Japan through blood or long-term residence may have some requirements waived or relaxed. Identifying which category you fall into is the first step toward a smoother application.

Applicant	Requirement Waived/Relaxed	Legal Basis
Child (excluding adopted) of a former Japanese national, with 3+ years of continuous residence or domicile in Japan	Residency requirement	Nationality Act Art. 6(1)
Person born in Japan with 3+ years of continuous residence/domicile, or whose parent was born in Japan	Residency requirement	Nationality Act Art. 6(2)
Person with 10+ years of continuous residence in Japan (currently domiciled)	Residency requirement	Nationality Act Art. 6(3)
Spouse of a Japanese national, with 3+ years of continuous residence and currently domiciled in Japan	Residency & capacity requirements	Nationality Act Art. 7 (first clause)
Spouse of a Japanese national, 3+ years since marriage and 1+ year of continuous residence in Japan	Residency & capacity requirements	Nationality Act Art. 7 (second clause)
Child (excluding adopted) of a Japanese national, domiciled in Japan	Residency, capacity & means-of-livelihood requirements	Nationality Act Art. 8(1)
Adopted child of a Japanese national, 1+ year of continuous residence, and a minor under home-country law at the time of adoption	Residency, capacity & means-of-livelihood requirements	Nationality Act Art. 8(2)
Person who lost Japanese nationality (excluding loss after naturalization), domiciled in Japan	Residency, capacity & means-of-livelihood requirements	Nationality Act Art. 8(3)
Person born in Japan, stateless since birth, with 3+ years of domicile in Japan	Residency, capacity & means-of-livelihood requirements	Nationality Act Art. 8(4)

For Special Permanent Residents Special permanent residents (including Zainichi Korean/Chosen-seki individuals) benefit from relaxed Japanese-language testing, residency requirements, and supporting documentation compared to standard naturalization applicants. Please feel free to contact us for details.

4. Application Process and Timeline

From document collection and preparation through to final approval, the naturalization process typically takes 10 months to over a year. Missing documents or requests for additional materials can extend this further. Understanding the full process ahead of time helps you plan with adequate margin.

Step 1 — Initial Consultation & Requirement Check (1–2 weeks) Confirm whether you meet the naturalization requirements or qualify for simplified naturalization. Shionaga Law Office offers a free initial consultation to carefully assess your individual situation and propose a document checklist and overall schedule.

Step 2 — Preliminary Consultation with the Legal Affairs Bureau (1–2 months, document prep begins) Before the formal application, a preliminary consultation is held with the relevant Legal Affairs Bureau (Kumamoto District Legal Affairs Bureau, in this case) to confirm document direction and key points with the case officer. Advance phone booking is required. We can accompany and support you through this preliminary consultation.

Step 3 — Document Collection & Preparation (2–4 months, varies by individual) Collect documents from domestic public institutions (municipal offices, tax offices, Legal Affairs Bureau, etc.) as well as documents obtained from your home country (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.). Foreign-language documents require an attached Japanese translation. Many documents — including the naturalization application form, résumé, statement of motive, and household finance summary — must be prepared by the applicant.

Step 4 — Filing with the Legal Affairs Bureau (application filed — the receipt date starts the clock) Once documents are ready, the applicant must go in person to the Legal Affairs Bureau to file (or a legal guardian, if under 15). Our administrative scrivener accompanies you to the filing. After acceptance, you’ll receive a receipt date and application number. There is no filing fee.

Step 5 — Interview (roughly 2–3 months after filing) About 2–3 months after acceptance, the case officer will contact you to schedule an interview. Conducted in Japanese, the interview covers the application’s content, your motive for naturalizing, your living situation in Japan, and your Japanese language ability. Neighborhood or workplace inquiries may also be conducted. We provide interview coaching, including preparing likely questions and answers.

Step 6 — Review & Final Decision at the Ministry of Justice (post-interview, ~10 months) After the interview, documents are forwarded from the Legal Affairs Bureau to the Ministry of Justice headquarters for further review — the longest stage of the process, at roughly 10 months. Additional documents may still be requested during this period.

Step 7 — Approval, Official Gazette Publication & Family Registry Procedures (total: 10 months to over a year from filing) Once approved, naturalization is published in the Official Gazette and the case officer will contact you directly. The publication date is the date Japanese nationality is acquired. Afterward, you’ll need to complete family registry procedures at your municipal office and return your residence card to the immigration authorities.

5. Overview of Required Documents

Document requirements vary slightly by Legal Affairs Bureau, but applicants generally need to collect or prepare around 60 types of documents. The exact list depends on nationality, occupation, family composition, and residence status.

Documents you prepare yourself:

Naturalization application form (with photo)
Summary of family relations
Résumé (Parts 1 and 2)
Record of entries/exits
Statement of motive for naturalization
Household finance summary (Parts 1 and 2)
Business summary (for self-employed individuals/company officers)
Sworn statement

Documents obtained within Japan:

Residence certificate (applicant and all household members)
Employment and salary certificate (issued by employer)
Withholding tax slip / copy of tax return
Tax payment certificate (municipal and national tax office)
Copy of driver’s license
Copy of residence card
Copy of passport
Japanese family registry (koseki) transcript, if applicable (e.g., Japanese spouse)
Proof of assets such as real estate or savings, as needed

Documents obtained from your home country:

Home-country family registry or family relationship certificate
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (applicant and parents)
Certificate of family relationship
Certificate of nationality
Others as needed (e.g., parents’ death certificates)

Note: Foreign-language documents require an attached Japanese translation.

⚠ Notes on Document Preparation

Use A4 paper and black ink pen for accurate entries
Correction fluid or tape is not permitted
Errors should be corrected with a single strike-through line
Submit two copies where originals (e.g., passport) cannot be provided
Always note the receipt date and application number when submitting additional documents
Missing or incomplete documents can significantly delay the review

A Tip on Document Collection: Start on Home-Country Documents Early Obtaining certificates from your home country can take several months depending on the processing speed of local government offices and how busy the relevant embassy or consulate in Japan is. Since translation is also required, it’s important to begin document collection early in the overall schedule. We offer support for obtaining home-country documents and arranging Japanese translation.

6. Support Services from Shionaga Law Office (Administrative Scrivener Corporation)

Because the law requires naturalization applications to be filed by the applicant in person, an administrative scrivener cannot file on your behalf. However, we can support every other part of the process — document preparation, collection, preliminary consultations, and interview coaching.

Requirement Assessment & Overall Planning We carefully review your current residence status, period of stay, family composition, occupation, and tax situation, and design the optimal application strategy from the start, including whether simplified naturalization applies.

Free initial consultation (in person or online)
Preliminary screening with a requirements checklist
Confirmation of eligibility for simplified naturalization or special permanent resident relaxations
Development of an overall schedule

Document Preparation Support We carefully assist with preparing documents in the format required by the Legal Affairs Bureau — including the application form, résumé, statement of motive, and household finance summary — to eliminate errors and omissions and keep the review process smooth.

Drafting of the application form and related documents
Guidance on writing the statement of motive
Support preparing the household finance and business summaries
Full document review and correction

Document Collection Support From guiding you through obtaining documents from domestic public institutions to helping you request certificates from your home country, including arranging Japanese translation of foreign-language documents.

Preparation of a personalized required-documents list
Support obtaining residence certificates, tax certificates, etc.
Support with the process of requesting home-country documents
Arranging Japanese translation of foreign-language documents

Legal Affairs Bureau Coordination & Interview Support From booking and accompanying you to the preliminary consultation with the Legal Affairs Bureau, to accompanying you at the time of filing, to practicing likely interview questions — we support you throughout. We have a track record of applications with the Kumamoto District Legal Affairs Bureau.

Booking and accompaniment for the preliminary consultation
Accompaniment at the time of filing
Interview coaching (practice Q&A, review of application content)
Support responding to requests for additional documents
Guidance on post-approval family registry procedures and returning your residence card

Trust Shionaga Law Office with Your Kumamoto Naturalization Application We are well versed in filing with the Kumamoto District Legal Affairs Bureau and have supported numerous foreign national residents of Kumamoto through the naturalization process. Whatever your concern — language barriers, complicated documentation, or interview anxiety — please feel free to reach out. As a certified support organization for management innovation, we also specialize in naturalization applications for business owners and executives.

7. Fee Guide

There is no fee to file with the Legal Affairs Bureau. The amounts below are guideline fees for our services and vary depending on family composition, nationality, complexity of home-country documents, and whether translation is needed. We’ll provide an estimate during your free initial consultation.

Case	Fee	Includes
Single applicant, simple case (company employee, no dependents)	From ¥200,000	Document preparation, collection support, and Legal Affairs Bureau accompaniment
Family joint application (couple, or couple with children)	From ¥250,000	Document preparation and collection for the whole family; family discount applied
Self-employed / company officer	From ¥250,000	Includes preparing the business summary and financial statement documents; can coordinate with your accounting firm
Translation support (Japanese translation of home-country documents)	Quoted separately	Varies by document type, volume, and language; can refer you to a partner translator

Standard fee guide (single applicant, standard case): from ¥200,000

All fees above are estimates and exclude tax. Actual costs (certificate issuance fees, transportation, etc.) are billed separately as reimbursed expenses. There is no fee to file with the Legal Affairs Bureau (no cost to the government at all). The initial consultation is free — feel free to reach out even if you just want to talk it through.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

I have traffic violations or unpaid taxes in my past — can I still apply for naturalization? Traffic violations or past unpaid amounts don’t automatically result in denial — they’re assessed comprehensively based on content, frequency, timing, and subsequent circumstances. However, serious violations or unpaid amounts from recent years (shortly before applying) tend to weigh more heavily in the review, so we recommend consulting a specialist beforehand. We can also advise on addressing conduct-related issues in advance.

I’m married to a Japanese national, but it hasn’t been three years yet — can I apply? For spouses of Japanese nationals, simplified naturalization applies if you meet either “3+ years since marriage and 1+ year of residence in Japan” or “3+ years of residence in Japan.” If you meet neither, you may still apply under the standard requirement (5+ years of residence). Let us know your current situation and we can advise on the best timing to apply.

Can self-employed individuals (sole proprietors) apply for naturalization? Yes, self-employed individuals can apply. However, compared to company employees, more documents are required (business summary, tax returns, financial statements, etc.), and income stability and tax payment history receive particular scrutiny. Any unfiled or unpaid taxes must be resolved before applying. We have extensive experience supporting self-employed individuals and company officers.

How long does it take from filing to receiving a decision? From acceptance to approval, it generally takes 10 months to over a year. The interview takes place 2–3 months after filing, followed by roughly another 10 months of review. Processing times have tended to lengthen in recent years due to rising application volumes. Missing documents or requests for additional materials can extend this further.

If my application is denied, can I reapply? Yes, reapplication is possible after a certain period has passed. The Legal Affairs Bureau often does not provide a detailed explanation for a denial, so it’s important to consider what might be improved based on your previous application before reapplying. We also support clients through the reapplication process after a denial.

Feel Free to Reach Out

“Can I qualify for naturalization?” “What documents do I need?” “How long will it take?”

Whatever your question, the initial consultation is free. Shionaga Law Office (Administrative Scrivener Corporation) in Kumamoto is here to help.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on laws and Ministry of Justice practice as of May 2026, and does not constitute legal advice for any individual case. Naturalization review rests within the discretionary authority of the Minister of Justice, and meeting the requirements does not guarantee approval. In May 2025, opinions calling for stricter naturalization requirements were raised in the Diet, and the system may change in the future. Please confirm the latest information directly with the Ministry of Justice or your local Legal Affairs Bureau.

Shionaga Law Office (Administrative Scrivener Corporation) Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture Registered Immigration-Application Administrative Scrivener | Certified Support Organization for Management Innovation

Services:

Naturalization permit application support
Residence status change/renewal applications
Various licensing and subsidy applications