Japanese citizenship for South Africans

Japan, also famously known as the land of the rising sun, is one of the technologically advanced countries in the world. The country has a thriving economy and stable job market and attracts several expats every year looking for a better life. While getting a visa and even a permanent residency in the country is already challenging due to the high demand, obtaining Japanese citizenship is a whole different ball game. The country has a strict list of criteria you must meet to be eligible for citizenship.

It is important to understand that Japan recognizes only one citizenship – which means you will need to give up your South African passport if you wish to obtain a Japanese one. Our guide covers all you need to know about acquiring Japanese citizenship. We also show you how to make money transfers using Wise – a provider that helps you send money back home to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate.

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How can South Africans apply for and get Japanese citizenship?

Japan is a very attractive option for expats due to the lifestyle, culture, cuisine, and job market. The immigration policies of the country, however, make it very challenging for expats looking for long-term residency and citizenship. It is possible to get Japanese citizenship through birth, marriage, or naturalisation. For South Africans looking to move there the latter two are routes that need to be looked into.

What are the requirements to get Japanese citizenship?

Different routes to obtaining Japanese citizenship

• Citizenship by birth:

  1. If the father or mother is a Japanese national at the time of birth.
  2. If the father died before the child’s birth and was a Japanese national at the time of death.
  3. If born in Japan and both of the parents are unknown or are without nationality.

• Citizenship through Naturalization

  1. Domicile: The person must have been domiciled in Japan for five years or more consecutively and must have had a valid status of residence throughout the prescribed period of time. You must spend 80% of 365 days in Japan. If you hold a PR and leave Japan for 3 or more years you may need to re-apply for an entry permit.
  2. Capacity: Must be over 20 years old. From April 1, 2022, the person must be 18 years of age or more, and of full capacity to act according to the law of his/her home country.)
  3. Conduct: The individual must demonstrate good conduct, judged by common social standards, with ordinary people as a reference. Factors such as a criminal record, tax compliance, and any disruptive behaviour in society are important factors considered.
  4. Livelihood: The person must be able to secure a livelihood in Japan. This condition will be judged on the basis of a family unit to make a living. For unemployed individuals the condition can be met if they have property and/or a secure livelihood based on support from their spouse or relatives.
  5. Prevention of multiple nationality condition (dual citizenship): Applicants seeking naturalization must generally either be stateless or renounce their previous nationality upon naturalization. However, an exception is made when an individual's original nationality cannot be relinquished, even if they intend to do so; in such cases, naturalization may be granted despite this requirement (Article 5, Paragraph 2 of the Japanese Nationality Act).
  6. Constitutional compliance condition: Those who have themselves or have formed or belong to an organization plotting or advocating the overthrow of the Japanese government will not be given permission to naturalize.
  7. Language: Equivalent to 7-8 years of Japanese (basic understanding in Kanji, Katagana and Hiragana).

• Citizenship through marriage (The specific requirements for obtaining citizenship through marriage are similar to those in the naturalisation route but with loosened domicile and capacity requirements.)

  1. Residency: The spouse must have lived in Japan for at least 5 years on a long-term visa.
  2. Language proficiency: The spouse must demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the Japanese language.
  3. Background check: The spouse must pass a background check, including a criminal record check.
  4. Marriage: The marriage must be legally recognized in Japan and both partners must be in good standing.
  5. Application: The spouse must submit a citizenship application, including supporting documentation and a fee.

Which documents may be required?

The documents needed based on route of application and may vary slightly from the naturalisation to the marriage route. The documents needed for applying to citizenship via naturalisation include:

• Two passport photos
• Description of your relatives to create a family register (戸籍謄本, koseki tohon) once citizenship is granted
• Proof of identification, including birth certificate (出生証明書, shussho shomei-sho), marriage certificate (結婚証明書, kekkon shomei-sho), residence card (在留カード, zairyu kado), passport (パスポート, pasupoto), and driving license (運転免許証, unten menkyo sho)
• Academic qualifications
• A statement explaining why you want to become a Japanese citizen, handwritten in Japanese
• If employed, documents explaining your job, employment contract, salary slips, and resume
• If self-employed, details about your business, including financial records, business license, or company registration
• Details of your assets (e.g., bank statements, properties, investments, and securities)
• Tax returns
• Maps and addresses of your home and work

Send money to South Africa from Japan using the mid-market rate

If you’re a South African expat living in Japan, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.
Although the majority of banks may allow their account holders to make an international transfer, it is possible that a markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate. It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:

Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!

With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ on an international money transfer by providing low fees and also do away with the markup on the mid-market exchange rate when making international payments from Japan to South Africa.

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Can I hold dual South African - Japanese citizenship?

No, Japan does not allow dual citizenship. This means that you will need to give up your South African passport if you wish to become a Japanese citizen.

Can I get Japanese citizenship through investment?

While the country does not offer citizenship through investment, it does offer a Business Manager residence status to directors, owners, and managers of businesses setup in Japan.

Entrepreneurs and innovators looking to break into the Japanese market can apply for this visa by setting up a business in Japan. Upon completing the incorporation process they can then proceed to sponsor themselves and get the Business Manager visa.

As per current regulations, securing a place of business and investing at least JPY 5 million or employing two or more full-time employees is required to acquire the residence status. The exact requirements may vary depending on the nature of business and entity structure⁹.

Can I get Japanese citizenship through descent or ancestry?

Japan only recognizes citizenship by descent for a single generation. It means you can get citizenship by descent only if one or both of your parents are Japanese citizens, This is also known as ‘nationality by notification‘ under Japanese law. Having Japanese grandparents but parents who are citizens of another country does not allow you citizenship through descent.

Japanese citizenship fees and costs

The application and subsequent processing of your citizenship application is free of cost. However, you may need to consider charges of getting all your documentation translated to Japanese.

How long does application processing take?

1. Contact your local Bureau of Legal Affairs and make an appointment to discuss all the details and necessary documents.
2. Collect all the necessary documents.
3. Submit your application.
4. The official from the Bureau of Legal Affairs will examine your papers and confirm if everything is done correctly. If all your documents are in order the Bureau will set up an interview with you. If not, further documentation will be requested.
5. Complete an interview.
6. If you have been granted citizenship, the announcement about it will be published in an Official Gazette of the Ministry of Justice. A phone call or a notification by post will also be made to you, this will be from the Bureau of Legal affairs.
7. Your citizenship is deemed to be in force starting on the day of the official announcement.
8. You will receive a certificate of naturalization.

Timelines for application steps:

*Disclaimer: The timelines listed below are approximate and may differ on a case by case basis.

Applying for Japanese citizenship is the next step for South Africans who have lived in Japan for some time and want to make it their forever home. It grants you full rights as those born with citizenship. While this is very exciting it also means that applications are very thoroughly reviewed and even minor misconduct may hinder chances of successful applications.

It is therefore very important that you maintain good conduct during your time in the country and have a spotless criminal record and pay bills and taxes on time. Proficiency in the language and demonstrating integration into Japanese society also help strengthen your application.

There are also several other factors you need to consider when you move, like managing money between Japan and South Africa. By allowing you to send money from Japan to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate, Wise helps you stress about one less thing as you navigate the citizenship journey.

Send money to South Africa

Sources:

1. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
2. Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
3. Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
4. Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
5. Citizenship by birth
6. Citizenship by marriage and naturalisation
7. Documents
8. Citizenship through descent
9. Citizenship through investment
10. Fees
11. Application process