For all those bazzilion I want to be a Japanese citizen/ preminant resitant people

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by Ronin4hire

Rather I'm surprised that despite the fact that the Japanese have a very culturally conservative and exclusive national identity that some non-Japanese still persist. Though I suspect it's out of ignorance for some.

Hmm... I still don`t see exactly where you are going with this. Do you see it as wrong of me to continue the citizenship process despite the fact that I`ll never really "be Japanese" in the ethnic sense? To persist in attempting to gain the same legal rights via citizenship?

I know that you aren`t necessarily referring to my case, or cases like mine, so I will give you slack. However, it`s still a slippery slope to downplay someone`s desire for citizenship based on your views of what that citizenship means. There is a lot more to it than that.

The average Japanese citizen is usually under the impression that you automatically gain citizenship through marriage. I`ve never had anyone react with anything other than complete shock when told otherwise. I`ve been invited by other mothers to take part in town meetings, but as I`m not a citizen I would have little voice there... And that is frustrating.
There are other legal issues that can be alleviated by gaining citizenship... Such as this; Let us say that something happens to my husband. As favor goes to family that has citizenship, his next of kin becomes our son rather than me. As my son is registered as having a disability, his property is ruled upon by the state. Does he need a 100m2 condo? Nope - chances are it would not come to me, but either be passed to the in-laws or sold if they were unable to receive it (with the funds going to my son). Where does this leave me, who isn`t even listed on our household registry (as non-citizens, even those with PR are listed in another registry)? Chances of something like that happening are very low - but they exist. As does the question of who receives custody of our son should my husband die - citizens are favored in cases where the child is a Japanese citizen like my son.

Even without all of that... It would just be nice to be able to say that I am actually a citizen of the country where my home, family, and friends are. The country I`ve spent my entire adult life in, which I cannot imagine leaving. So I guess it is about "being Japanese" to some extent, as I`m more "Japanese" than I am anything else at this point.

ETA: This is a bit of a touchy subject in my case, as I do have real valid reasons. Everytime someone non-Japanese (or rather, from English speaking countries) hears that I am pursuing citizenship... Their immediate response is "Why do something like that? It`s not like you`ll ever REALLY be Japanese. You`ll ALWAYS be a gaijin!"
That`s not the point, and that`s not what I`m aiming for.

[kyo_9]

golden rain in other country, rocking rain in your birth country.. it's better in your country.. :d

[Kajitsu]

Originally Posted by Nagoyankee

The easiest way to become a Japanese citizen:

Marry Nagoyankee!!

Okay, I will! XD


Nyororin, that was very insightful.

[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.

[Nyororin]

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.

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.

[Paul11]

When I lived in Japan I heard that the following was required: substantial financial reserves and some way to truly contribute to society (i.e. pro sports, science, scholar etc). Is that still the case?

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by Paul11

When I lived in Japan I heard that the following was required: substantial financial reserves and some way to truly contribute to society (i.e. pro sports, science, scholar etc). Is that still the case?

That`s for the "fast ticket" to citizenship. The route 芸能人 and 力士 take.

In reality, the real requirements are more like 10 consecutive years of residence, or 5 if you`re married to a Japanese citizen... And 3 if you are both married and have children who are Japanese citizens. In my experience, they always *strongly* encourage you to take citizenship at every turn if you can speak Japanese and seem to have the intent to spend the rest of your life here. When requesting information on PR, I was asked "Have you considered citizenship? It would probably be a better choice for you." by immigration.

The real pain is getting the paperwork together, particularly as I don`t really want to make a trip to the US just to file for some of it.

[tommasi]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

That`s for the "fast ticket" to citizenship. The route 芸能人 and 力士 take.

In reality, the real requirements are more like 10 consecutive years of residence, or 5 if you`re married to a Japanese citizen... And 3 if you are both married and have children who are Japanese citizens. In my experience, they always *strongly* encourage you to take citizenship at every turn if you can speak Japanese and seem to have the intent to spend the rest of your life here. When requesting information on PR, I was asked "Have you considered citizenship? It would probably be a better choice for you." by immigration.

The real pain is getting the paperwork together, particularly as I don`t really want to make a trip to the US just to file for some of it.

Good luck with your citizenship process.

May I ask why you waited more than 5 years to apply for a citizenship?

Cos I believe you lived in Japan for about 7 years? Am I correct?

[MMM]

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.

I don't think a fear of foriegners affecting politics is a real fear of the Japan. People tend to be pretty apathetic and distrusting of politicians, so fear of the gaijin vote is pretty low on the radar.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by tommasi

Good luck with your citizenship process.

May I ask why you waited more than 5 years to apply for a citizenship?

Thank you.

There are quite a few reasons - one being that we didn`t have a child until 3 years ago. Another is that they didn`t grant me a longer dependent visa until after he was born, so I didn`t particularly think my application would have that much of a chance.

Plus there are other, more personal reasons, such as not wanting to hurt my grandmother who would have been very very sad to see me taking a path that would mean giving up US citizenship in the end. And, well, because it simply isn`t a light decision to begin with.