Japanese citizenship in 2026: how to get it
From 1 April 2026 Japan expects 10 years of living in the country instead of the former 5. We cover the naturalisation conditions, the marriage route, leaving Russian citizenship and what a Japanese passport gives.
In short
- From 1 April 2026 naturalisation generally requires 10 years of living in Japan instead of 5.
- Tax payment certificates are required for 5 years, social insurance contributions for 2 years.
- Dual citizenship is not allowed for adults: Russian citizenship must be given up.
- For spouses of Japanese citizens the law keeps shorter terms from 3 years.
In detail
Japanese citizenship is obtained only through naturalisation: there is no investment programme, and adults may not hold dual citizenship. From 1 April 2026 the bar is higher: the Ministry of Justice now generally expects 10 years of living in the country instead of the former 5.
The Nationality Act itself has not changed and still says 5 years. What changed is how applications are screened, and the new practice applies even to applications filed before 1 April.
How to get Japanese citizenship in 2026
The application is filed in person at the regional legal affairs bureau for your place of residence, and only in Japan. The decision is made by the Minister of Justice.
| Condition | What is checked in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Years of living in Japan | generally 10 consecutive years, 5 under the law |
| Age | 18 or over |
| Taxes | payment certificates for 5 years instead of 1 |
| Social insurance | contributions for 2 years instead of 1 |
| Income | a stable living from work, family or savings |
| Previous citizenship | must be given up |
| Japanese language | everyday speaking, reading and writing |
Good conduct is not a formality here. An overdue tax, unpaid pension contributions or traffic violations can lead to refusal or delay.
10 years of residence and 5 years of certificates: a Japanese application is prepared in advance
The law does not forbid applying for Japanese citizenship on your own. But under the 2026 rules refusals most often come not from language or income but from gaps in the paperwork: tax certificates that do not cover all 5 years, missed pension contributions, breaks in residence, leaving Russian citizenship started too late. We work out your timeline from your status, gather the certificates, prepare translations and run the exit from Russian citizenship in parallel with the Japanese application.
The cost of support depends on your status and family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Japanese citizenship through marriage and by birth
For spouses of Japanese citizens the law keeps shorter terms. The spouse of a Japanese citizen can apply after 3 years of living in Japan, or after 3 years of marriage if at least one of those years was spent living in Japan. Marriage alone does not confer citizenship: the application and checks are the same as for everyone else.
A child with at least one Japanese parent is a Japanese citizen by birth, wherever they are born. If a child has two citizenships from birth, they must choose one by the age of 20.
Dual citizenship and leaving your previous citizenship
Japan does not allow adults to hold two citizenships, so naturalisation requires giving up the previous one. A Russian citizen does this by applying to leave Russian citizenship through a Russian consulate. The procedure takes months, so it is planned in parallel with the Japanese application.
If a Japanese passport is wanted for travel rather than for the rights of a citizen, it is fairer to compare it with permanent residence. It does not require leaving Russian citizenship, and the time requirement is now almost the same: as a rule, 10 years of living in Japan, of which at least 5 on a work status. Details are in permanent residence in Japan.
How long it takes and what a Japanese passport gives
There is no government fee for a naturalisation application. The main costs are translations, certificates and time: from the first consultation at the bureau to a decision usually takes about a year, and gathering documents under the new 5-year certificate requirements takes several more months.
A Japanese passport gives entry without a prior visa to 188 of 227 countries and territories, 74 more than the Russian passport. Schengen and China are visa-free, and the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia require an electronic travel authorisation. A Japanese citizen needs an e-visa for Russia.
If citizenship is still far away, start with a residence permit: the Japan digital nomad visa for remote work, the Japan startup visa for your own business. Taxes for residents are on the page taxes in Japan, and the country overall on moving to Japan.
How we help
Japan startup visa
Business plan, filing and residence for your own company.
Learn more →Company in Japan
Company registration and a basis for living in the country.
Learn more →Taxes in Japan
Residence, tax returns and the tax certificates needed for naturalisation.
Learn more →We will map your route to a Japanese passport. Tell us how many years you have lived in Japan, on what status and whether your spouse is Japanese. We will show when you can apply and which certificates to gather in advance.
FAQ
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