Japan will double minimum residency requirement for naturalization from five to 10 consecutive years starting April 1, bringing citizenship criteria to same level as permanent residency standards.

Justice Ministry announced revised guidelines on Friday extending verification periods for tax payments to five years and social insurance premiums to two years, both from one year currently. Changes apply even to applicants who already submitted applications before April 1.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi in November last year to tighten naturalization rules, stating current conditions were too lax. Government aims to address concerns that obtaining Japanese nationality has been easier than securing permanent residency.

Hiraguchi explained the changes respond to parliamentary concerns raised last year. Lawmakers argued that citizenship grants voting rights and should not be simpler to acquire than permanent residency.

“The short notice is unlikely to cause problems, as naturalization applications undergo comprehensive screening”, a Justice Ministry spokesperson said.

Japan’s Nationality Act sets minimum requirements including residing in country for at least 5 consecutive years, demonstrating good conduct, and possessing adequate means of support through assets or skills. Screening process also evaluates compatibility with Japanese society, including ability to speak Japanese fluently in daily life.

Ministry confirmed extending minimum residency requirement to 10 years aims to ensure better societal compatibility. Changes were included in comprehensive foreign resident policy measures compiled in January 2026.

For permanent residency, Japan sets detailed eligibility requirements under immigration law including properly fulfilling public obligations such as tax and national insurance payments, alongside 10-year minimum residency period.

Statistics show 14,103 people applied for naturalization in 2025, with 9,258 approvals and 666 rejections. Over 9,200 foreign nationals were naturalized in 2025, with Chinese and South Korean citizens comprising majority. By comparison, approximately 9,32,000 foreigners held permanent residency in Japan as of June 2025.

Applicants who filed before April 1 with five years residency will still be reviewed under existing rules, with final decisions at minister's discretion. Revisions affect ministry guidelines rather than nationality law itself, which formally maintains five-year residence requirement.

Justice Ministry emphasized most successful applicants typically have lived in Japan for 10 years or longer despite previous five-year minimum requirement.

Source: Japan Times, Japan Today, Economic Times