Can I become a Japanese Citizen?

Question

was born in Yokohama, Japan. My mum were japanese, and my father Norwegian (Europe). They got married in Japan, and later gave birth to me. After living in Japan for 2-3 years we moved to Norway and my mum and I got Norwegian nationallity.

So I was wondering if there is chance that I can become Japanese citizen as I was born in Japan, lived there my first years, and have a japanese mother, I then have japanese bloodline. (even tho my mum no longer has japanese passport). I have lots of relatives in Japan.

I look more Japanese then Norwegian. Here in Norway everybody just look at me as a foreigner, so I would feel better living in Japan, and feel more like I belong there.

Hope somebody can answer this question, and or maybe give me some links of what do to further with this.

Thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

if you have japanese blood, no matter how thin it gets, the japanese govt will still give you japanese citizenship. we value bloodline, i guess.

Answer 2

I can understand you, I'm planning to move to Japan next november, but I have the japanese passport.

I don't think you can get the japanese citizenship in Norway, since you're older than 23 years of age(one can get the japanese citizenship at the japanese embassy or consulate only before turning 23).

But this is the new law, that applies only to those born after 1984(like me).

If you didn't give up the japanese nationality when turning 21, you have the japanese citizenship(you didn't have to state that you wanted to take the japanese citizenship, since you were born before 1984)

Answer 3

I didn't think Japanese government allowed dual nationality for anyone over 22; in fact, if you have dual nationality you are required to choose one or the other when you reach that age. I believe if you marry a Japanese, you'd be able to obtain a permanent residency eventually.

I had both British and Japanese passport, and I chose British since it makes it much easier to travel and work in EU nations as well as ex-Commonwealth nations. I guess Norway not being part of EU means you don't have the same incentive to keep your Norwegian nationality.

But what makes you think you won't look foreign in Japan? I'm half English and Japanese, lived 15 yrs in Japan (born in Yokohama like you) and 15 yrs in UK.

I look more Oriental than Caucasian, but when I'm in Japan people instantly know I'm not 100% Japanese; paler skin, paler eyes, paler coloured hair (natural and not dye), different proportion in body like longer arms and legs, longer eyelashes etc

Plus being 'foreign' isn't limited to appearance. Difference in national character, culture and attitude shows. My Japanese family and friends always tell me I'm quite un-Japanese, especially in my sense of humour and way of thinking. A 100% Japanese person growing up outside Japan and returning to Japan will be equally a 'foreigner' there.  

Answer 4

Since you were born in Japan and once live there with your Japanese mother, I'm assuming you once had Japanese citizenship. It's also quite possible that you never lost it.

There is a simplified requirements for applying for Japanese citizenship for a former Japanese citizen. Normally, there is a 5-year residency requirement, but for a former citizen, you only need a current Japanese address. Also, normally, one is required to have a minimum amount of income (ie, a job), but that requirement is also waived.

So at minimum, you need to move to Japan and establish a Japanese address. It's also a good idea to get a job and to work on your case with a Japanese immigration lawyer (they exist).

Some of the more obvious documents you'd need are papers proving your mother was once a Japanese citizen and papers proving your relationship to her as her son. The first isn't so hard, since ward offices are required to keep records for so many years.

Answer 5

It's called dual citizenship. You probably have both, whereas your mother gave up her Japanese citizenship.

Ask your mother if you only have Norweigian or if she kept your Japanese citizenship.  There should be a Japanese Embassy some where near you (Like in Michigan,USA it is in Detroit, Michigan).  You can go there and find out if you still have it or not.  

Most likely, since you were a child, they allowed you to have both.

Answer 6

How old are you? Japan does not allow someone 20 or older to have dual citizenship. If you are over 20 and have Norwegian citizenship, it's likely that you have only Norwegian citizenship.

If you are under 20, it could be possible that you have dual citizenship. But you have to ask your mom if she gave you Japanese citizenship at the time of your birth.

If you have it, you should renounce one of them by the age of 20. If you don't have it, you have to start trying to get Japanese citizenship as a foreigner. But it's very difficult.

Addition:

OK. You cannot have dual citizenship now at 37. But it's possible that you still keep your Japanese citizenship because you did not care it when you became 20.

Ask the local government in Yokohama where you were born if your mom applied your citizenship.That's the only way.

Addition2:

If you have only Norwegian citizenship now, you cannot get Japanese one so easily.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Look at the question above. Although I was talking about permanent residence, citizenship is almost the same. But it's more difficult to be accepted.

You have to start from getting working visa and living in Japan for 10 years. But given that you are 37, it's extremely difficult.

Your mother's blood does not matter. It matters if she still keeps Japanese citizenship, but she does not.

Neither you nor your mother are "Japanese" now.

Addition3:

BTW, why don't you ask it on Y!A Japan?  If you chose this place before Y!A Japan, you are not like "Japanese people." Japanese people do not ask questions here.

Answer 7

Simply speaking it is very difficult for you to get Japanese citizenship because you are 37 y.o. and have Norwegian nationality now even though you have strong will to give up the nationality.

http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information...

Ask your mother first if she really registered you in Japan when she gave birth. If no record or without it at the place there you were born officially, you have to give up because of no evidence.