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

[butterflymiko18]

Well, I'm workin' on the marriage thing ^_^, but the Olympics? I'd rather spend a day w/ Bush, which believe me, is my worst nightmare.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by Ronin4hire

But I think if you understand the nature Japan's national identity (put simply it emphasizes geneology rather than ideology) then in order for you to be able to achieve citizenship which relates to national identity then you have the uphill task of challenging to some extent, the very national identity with which Japan in general believes in. What is surprising to me is that some people are willing to do that.

I don`t think I`m misunderstanding you, if I go by what you say above. You are saying that it is surprising (and perhaps puzzling) that someone not of Japanese descent would want to gain citizenship in Japan. Because they will never *be* Japanese because of the sheer nature of Japan itself. Correct?
This is the feeling that I usually encounter, and it`s exactly what I`m trying to present my feelings about.

I`m not trying to challenge anything. I don`t feel that I am challenging anything. Japanese citizenship and Japanese ethnic identity are two very different things - but as Japanese citizens are for the large part ethnically Japanese... it`s very easy to make the two issues into one.
To support what I am saying - Someone can be born and raised in the US, but consider themselves, say, Chinese due to their genealogy. Regardless of what citizenship I may have, my ethnic identity will not change. I am not trying to change my ethnicity. Even in the US, the great example everyone gives of a country where immigration is a part of life... People who are not either straight white or black are almost *always* asked where they are from on a regular basis. I have a (or rather *had* - I haven`t spoken to her in years) a friend in the US whose grandparents immigrated to the US from China. Her parents were born and raised in the US, never visited China, and did not speak any Chinese. Needless to say neither did she. But she was asked, almost daily, where she was from. If she answered "America", they`d say "No, I mean where you`re really from."
Being as most everyone I know in Japan has been surprised to hear that I didn`t have Japanese citizenship automatically through marriage, I have a feeling that most people in Japan also recognize citizenship as something separate from ethnicity.

In essence I'm not really downplaying someone's desire for citizenship based on MY views of what citizenship means. Rather downplaying the desire of those that seek citizenship in a country based on whether or not it goes against the general view of what citizenship means to that particular country.

So... Being as the general view of citizenship in Japan is Japanese ethnicity, you are downplaying my desire to have Japanese citizenship. The destination is the same regardless of how you word it.

For what it's worth though I do think the Japanese government needs to cut you some slack though via the fact that you are married to a Japanese citizen who lives in Japan.

They do. They make it much easier for me to obtain citizenship.

[tommasi]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

I have a (or rather *had* - I haven`t spoken to her in years) a friend in the US whose grandparents immigrated to the US from China. Her parents were born and raised in the US, never visited China, and did not speak any Chinese. Needless to say neither did she. But she was asked, almost daily, where she was from. If she answered "America", they`d say "No, I mean where you`re really from."

I'm not sure exactly where in the US you are from but this is actually a very good point.

You do get that if you are not white and live in the Mid West or other white communities in rural areas.

I think people who oppose to Nyororin's citizenship is somewhat from white background because even if you come from multi-cultural society, you know if you are not white, you would run into occasions like people asking you where you REALLY come from just based on your apprearance.

Sometimes you don't see the racism because you are not targeted.

For example, when I lived in Australia, it was pretty well known that if you are Asian, you need to have a higher enter score (GPA) to get into medical and law programs.

Why?

There are too many Chinese immigrants and the white govt didn't like the idea of Chinese people taking all the high professions.

You wouldn't know if you are white cos well, you just don't experience it.

[Sangetsu]

"And, after clarifying the situation, they had the nerve to say "Why bother registering him? He`s not going to survive anyway."

Never mind that. We can cope without US citizenship, thank you very much."

You should never willingly limit your options, or those of your son. The bureaucrats at the embassy are little different from those who work at the Department of Motor Vehicles or Post Office. They are small people who have much in life to resent, and they often take it out on others (and each other), as you have probably seen in frequent and often sensational news stories.

You might be able to cope without American citizenship for your son, but he would do better to have it.

[defilekees]

<.<
go to Newyork....
yet at last im only 15 so I have no clue but I;ve heard that thats the best place to go

[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

"And, after clarifying the situation, they had the nerve to say "Why bother registering him? He`s not going to survive anyway."

Never mind that. We can cope without US citizenship, thank you very much."

You should never willingly limit your options, or those of your son. The bureaucrats at the embassy are little different from those who work at the Department of Motor Vehicles or Post Office. They are small people who have much in life to resent, and they often take it out on others (and each other), as you have probably seen in frequent and often sensational news stories.

You might be able to cope without American citizenship for your son, but he would do better to have it.

But her son wasn't born in America. He was born in Japan. He's automatically a Japanese citizen by default because of that alone. Since she plans on residing in Japan, along with her husband, and remaining there, with her husband, why go through the trouble of getting her already Japanese citizen of a son an American citizenship? If anything, she'd be better off getting her son a passport so they could visit the states. What good would getting an American citizenship do her son, if he lives in Japan, speaks Japanese, is being raised in Japan, etc.?

[blimp]

Originally Posted by SSJup81

But her son wasn't born in America. He was born in Japan. He's automatically a Japanese citizen by default because of that alone. .....

no, wrong. one does not get japanese citizenship by only being born in japan. not all countries r like the US, u know.

[noodle]

Originally Posted by SSJup81

But her son wasn't born in America. He was born in Japan. He's automatically a Japanese citizen by default because of that alone. Since she plans on residing in Japan, along with her husband, and remaining there, with her husband, why go through the trouble of getting her already Japanese citizen of a son an American citizenship? If anything, she'd be better off getting her son a passport so they could visit the states. What good would getting an American citizenship do her son, if he lives in Japan, speaks Japanese, is being raised in Japan, etc.?

I understand what you're saying, but personally, i think that, if you CAN get a citizenship for a country like the US, then take it.
For example, when I have a family, I'd want my children to have Algerian citizenship as well as whichever country they're born in. Being Algerian is absolutely NO use internationally, but that's where my roots are from, and I'd hope that any child would get the oportunity to visit their parents home land. It's always good to see where one has come from. These days you hear too many stories of second generation immigrants wanting to go back to their home land, but they encounter too many problems... It might make good poetry, but it's also unfortunate and sad for the victims that can't visit their "home".

The way I see it is, leave the door open for your children, let them decide if they want it or not when they're older. But of course, I'm talking about the situations when it's not going to cost an arm and a leg to get the citizenship. I have no idea what it's like getting US citizenship. But if it's doable(sp?), then why not?!

[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by noodle

I understand what you're saying, but personally, i think that, if you CAN get a citizenship for a country like the US, then take it.

I suppose, but the only problem where Japan is concerned, is that you can't have a dual citizenship or either it's not recognized, if I'm not mistaken.

The way I see it is, leave the door open for your children, let them decide if they want it or not when they're older. But of course, I'm talking about the situations when it's not going to cost an arm and a leg to get the citizenship. I have no idea what it's like getting US citizenship. But if it's doable(sp?), then why not?!

There's nothing wrong with that at all. If her son grows up and wants to go to the US, live there, then I'm sure he can go through the procedure of getting a citizenship there, but for now, due to his being so young, having a Japanese citizenship, which he already has, to my knowledge, would benefit him more so.

[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by blimp

no, wrong. one does not get japanese citizenship by only being born in japan. not all countries r like the US, u know.

He does have a citizenship. He's over three years old, isn't he, and he was born in the country to an actual Japanese.