Does Japan allow dual citizenship? Rules for children and adults
Automatic loss of Japanese nationality, children born with two nationalities, the choice deadlines since April 2022, naturalisation of foreigners and permanent residence instead of a second passport.
In short
- Not for adults: a Japanese national who takes another nationality by choice loses Japanese nationality automatically.
- Children until the choice: by age 20 if they became dual nationals before 18.
- At 18 or later: the choice is due within 2 years.
- Born abroad: a birth notification within 3 months that reserves Japanese nationality.
- Foreigners: naturalisation after 5 years, giving up the previous passport.
In detail
Japan does not allow dual citizenship for adults. A Japanese national who takes another citizenship by choice loses Japanese nationality automatically, and a foreigner who naturalises in Japan gives up the previous one. Children born with two nationalities keep both for a while and then choose: by age 20 if they became dual nationals before 18, or within 2 years if they became dual nationals at 18 or later.
Rules follow the Nationality Act and the Ministry of Justice in 2026.
When Japanese nationality is lost automatically
Under Article 11 of the Nationality Act, a Japanese national who acquires a foreign nationality by their own choice, for example by naturalising in the United States or Australia, loses Japanese nationality on that day. No declaration is needed, and the Japanese passport is no longer valid. The same happens when a dual national chooses the other nationality under that country's law.
Japanese nationals moving abroad for work therefore live there on a residence permit and keep their passport. Countries that allow two passports are compared in which countries allow dual citizenship.
Children born with two nationalities
A child becomes a dual national at birth in two common cases: one parent is Japanese and the other passes on a foreign nationality, or the child is born in a country that grants citizenship by birthplace, such as the United States, Canada or Brazil.
- Born abroad: parents file the birth notification with a Japanese embassy or consulate within 3 months and state in it that they reserve the child's Japanese nationality.
- Without that statement, the child loses Japanese nationality from birth. Until 18, and with an address in Japan, the child can get it back by notifying the Minister of Justice.
- Born in Japan to a Japanese parent, the child is registered as Japanese in the usual way and keeps the other nationality until the choice.
The choice of nationality: deadlines since April 2022
On 1 April 2022 the age of majority in Japan dropped to 18, and the deadlines changed with it.
| When you became a dual national | Deadline for the choice |
|---|---|
| Before your 18th birthday | by your 20th birthday |
| At 18 or later | within 2 years of becoming a dual national |
- Choosing Japanese nationality: you file a declaration of choice at a municipal office in Japan or at a Japanese embassy or consulate, then work to give up the other nationality under that country's law.
- Choosing the other nationality: you file a renunciation of Japanese nationality, or give it up under the other country's law.
- Under 15: the declaration is filed by a parent or other legal representative.
If the deadline passes without a choice, the Minister of Justice may send a written reminder; a person who still makes no choice within 1 month of it loses Japanese nationality.
We will help with nationality and documents in Japan
Nationality questions in Japan are straightforward when the deadlines are known in advance. The most common mistakes: leaving the reservation of Japanese nationality out of the birth notification, missing the choice deadline after 18, and applying for naturalisation without knowing how to leave the previous nationality. We work out the deadlines for your family, prepare the notifications and applications, and find the route to permanent residence for those moving to Japan.
Details and the cost of support are with a manager in the chat.
Foreigners: Japanese citizenship means one passport
Naturalisation asks for 5 years of domicile in Japan, age 18 or over, good conduct, a stable livelihood, respect for the Constitution and having no other nationality, or losing it on naturalisation. A foreign spouse of a Japanese national can apply after 3 years of residence, or after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence. The full route is in Japanese citizenship.
Those who want to live in Japan and keep their passport take permanent residence: the routes and income rules are in Japan permanent residency and how to get residency in Japan, and taxes for residents in Japan taxes.
FAQ
Does Japan allow dual citizenship?
By what age must you choose a nationality in Japan?
What happens if you do not choose in time?
Can a child of a Japanese and a foreign parent have two nationalities?
How do you choose Japanese nationality?
Can I keep my passport if I naturalise in Japan?
How many years do you need to live in Japan to get citizenship?
How can I live in Japan and keep my own passport?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultationHow to send money to Japan in 2026 →
We can help with the transfer: ask in the chat.
Programs