Is it even worth becoming a japanese citizen?

Question

I'm 15 and Filipino-American and I really want to live a normal life in japan to raise a family. I know you must live there for more then five years before you could ask to be a permanent citizen. I also know you must give up your citizenship from whence you used to lived, after you obtained your citizenship.

But I also know there is a lot of discrimination in japan

I seen a few signs in japan like: No foreigners, you must be Japanese, or Japanese only.

I also read a few things like: As a foreign citizen, you may not vote locally or nationally.

After reading those few things...I was wondering if it's even worth it to become a Japanese citizen, when really, you'll have many limits and others will treat you differently...

Apparently, we like japan but they don't like us much..

Answer 1

Just keep your US citizenship and live in japan if you want. Do you have to be a citizen to live there permanently? It really isn't worth giving up the right to be an American.

Answer 2

It really depends on how much you want to live in Japan and what your surroundings are like. Big cities are more used to foreigners (especially Tokyo) than small cities. I personally have never seen one of those no foreigners, Japanese only signs on a store. I've only seen it on the internet. From what I recall, it was a pic from Hokkaido or somewhere like that with less population. If it's in a big city, s***w them and move on to the next establishment.

It's true that Japanese are nice to tourists but it changes when you try to live there. But there are people who do immigrate and do well. It's really a case by case basis. It will make all the difference in the world if you are able to speak/read/write Japanese. The more Japanese you know, the better your experience. You're still young so you have lots of time to think about and work on ideas about living in Japan, what kind of job, etc. You could maybe do an exchange program or go there to teach English to get a sense of if you really like it there or not.

Honestly, I really won't care about the voting thing too much because Japanese don't really vote or care about politics. I would be much more concerned about your daily well being. Whether or not people are trying to rob you, beat you up, spit on you, etc. Whether they will rent a place to you, hire you for a job, treat you decently, etc. Everyone deserves a safe and happy life. If one section of Japan is not right for you, maybe the other side of town, a different town, or another prefecture is better. It is difficult for foreigners to find a place to live and a job. Work on getting skills that will get you a visa. You don't need citizenship but if you don't want to worry about renewing the visa, then you can become a citizen if you wish. Japan is strict in that they do not allow dual citizens but I've never heard of the government demanding proof of renounced citizenship of your former country. Talk to others who have immigrated to Japan and find out their experience, etc. Remember that only 1-2% of Japan are foreigners. It is not a land of immigrants. That is why it is difficult to move there and become accepted as a part of society. You will always be stared at--get used to it.

I lived in Okinawa, where there are Filipinos. Unfortunately a lot of them seemed to be women working as strippers, etc.

Answer 3

Well for your information japan don't want you either especially filipino.  Your right japanese are very discriminate against foreigners sign by restaurant no foreigners, no filipino, japanese only etc...why don't you move to Hong Kong it not that bad there're alot of filipino working there as maid.