Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul11
That's why it's so difficult to become a citizen. People don't want non-japanese to become involved in policy and politics.
I think it's best to wait some years before applying for citizenship anyways. Many people, even if they initialy don't care about thier home countries, find a newfound love of their homelands after being abroad a few years then going home.
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That may be the case... But I`d say it`s more that people don`t want those not truly involved in the country to have a say rather than "non-Japanese". I don`t think any country really wants someone who doesn`t really have a true stake in their country to have a political voice - especially if it can rival that of those who *do*. Who wants local policy to be decided by someone who is likely going to be moving away in a year or two? In the end, that *is* what would happen if it were extremely easy to get citizenship. If you don`t consider the country you are living in to be "your" country, then you`re less likely to give deep thought into what your choices may mean for those who do. Not everyone is like that, but many are. In the end, in the back of their minds, many people would push toward making their current country of residence more like "their" country. If you don`t consider the country you are thinking of applying for citizenship in "your country" - then you shouldn`t really be applying.
I`ve had nothing but good and helpful responses from everyone on the Japanese side in applying for citizenship. The US side is dragging it`s heels, "misplacing" my applications for various documents, etc etc. It should not take a year to process my request for a certified copy of my birth certificate.
I
definitely agree that people should wait before applying for another country`s citizenship. However, it`s really a moot point in Japan`s case, as you can`t apply unless you`ve been here quite some time anyway.