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Can I get a visa as the child of a Japanese national if my Japanese mother has died?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 8 August 2025　／　Last updated 21 August 2026

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

Answer

Even though your mother has died, there is a real possibility that you can move to Japan. What matters is not whether the parent is alive at the time of the application, but whether your mother held Japanese nationality when you were born. There are 2 options: 在留資格「日本人の配偶者等」 (Spouse or Child of Japanese National) and 「定住者」 (Long-Term Resident).

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry about moving to Japan, from a person whose Japanese mother has already died.

Subject: status of residence (visa)
Application type: 在留資格認定証明書交付申請 (Application for Certificate of Eligibility)
Situation: The enquirer is 74 years old. His father was American and his mother was Japanese. He lived in Japan until he was 14, and then the family moved to the United States. His name is not recorded in his mother's Japanese family register, and his current nationality is American. His mother has already died.
Question: I would like to move to Japan, which I left many years ago. I think I count as 「日本人の子」 (a child of a Japanese national), so I thought I could apply under 「日本人の配偶者等」. But my mother, who is the link, has already died. Can I still apply for this status of residence?

Can I apply for 「日本人の配偶者等」 even though my mother has died?

You may be able to. What matters is whether your mother held Japanese nationality when you were born.

The status of residence 「日本人の配偶者等」 covers not only the spouse of a Japanese national but also a person born as the child of a Japanese national (「日本人の子として出生した者」).

What matters is not that the parent is alive at the time of the application, but whether your mother held Japanese nationality when you were born. So even though your mother has died, if you can prove with official documents that she was Japanese at the time of your birth, you may meet the requirements for this status of residence.

What do I need to prove?

That you were born to a mother who held Japanese nationality at the time, proved with official documents.

A certified copy of your mother's family register, or of her closed register (除籍謄本): Where your mother has died, obtain the 「除籍謄本」, the certified copy of the closed family register, which records the fact of her death. This proves that she was once Japanese
Documents proving the parent-child relationship: You need official documents proving the parent-child relationship between your mother and yourself, such as a birth certificate (出生証明書) issued by a US public office
Attaching translations: All documents issued overseas must have a Japanese translation attached

The key to the application is to use these documents to prove objectively that you were born to a mother who held Japanese nationality at the time of your birth.

Is 「定住者」 also an option?

Yes. Aiming for 「定住者」 as a second-generation person of Japanese descent is also a strong route.

Where proving 「日本人の配偶者等」 is complicated, and as the more common route, there is the option of aiming for the status of residence 「定住者」.

Because your mother was Japanese, you are a second-generation person of Japanese descent (日系2世). Being 日系2世 is one of the typical cases in which 「定住者」 is granted. Here too, just as with 「日本人の配偶者等」, you need to prove that your mother was Japanese and that you are her child. Applications for a status of residence as a person of Japanese descent are also commonly seen in practice.

What is looked at under the livelihood requirement?

Whether you have a financial basis that lets you live without relying on public assistance in Japan.

Whether you aim for 「日本人の配偶者等」 or 「定住者」, on top of being the child of a Japanese national, an important point in screening is whether you can live independently and stably in Japan (the livelihood requirement, 生計要件). In concrete terms, you will need to prove the following points.

Enough pension income: Prove that the pension you receive in the United States, and income of that kind, is enough to cover your living costs in Japan
A reasonable amount of savings: Show, with a certificate of your savings balance or similar, that you have savings you can fall back on if something happens
Support from relatives in Japan: If you have relatives in Japan who will support you financially or look after you day to day, it can also help to submit a 「身元保証書」 (Letter of Guarantee) from that person, or a 「支援に関する誓約書」 (a written pledge of support)

What should I start with?

Start by obtaining your mother's 除籍謄本, and work through in order from there.

Check the last registered domicile of your mother, and obtain the 除籍謄本
Prepare a birth certificate or similar that proves your parent-child relationship
Obtain your parents' marriage certificate
Make a concrete plan for your life in Japan, covering your pension, your savings and so on

Gathering the documents, and judging which status of residence is the right one to apply for, involves some specialist knowledge. Putting your situation together into a convincing 理由書 (written explanation) is essential if you are to obtain permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply even though my Japanese mother has already died?

You may be able to. What matters is not that the parent is alive at the time of the application, but whether your mother held Japanese nationality when you were born. If you can prove this with official documents, you may meet the requirements.

How do I prove that my mother was Japanese?

Where your mother has died, obtain the 除籍謄本, which records the fact of her death. Attach as well official documents proving the parent-child relationship, such as a birth certificate, and Japanese translations of documents issued overseas.

Can I also apply under 「定住者」?

Yes. Because your mother was Japanese, you are 日系2世, and this is one of the typical cases in which 「定住者」 is granted. The facts you have to prove are the same as for 「日本人の配偶者等」.

Can I obtain a status of residence even at an advanced age?

Age itself matters less than whether you can live independently without relying on public assistance in Japan (the livelihood requirement). You prove this with pension income, savings, support from relatives in Japan and so on.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.