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My naturalisation was denied. What should I watch out for when I apply again?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 30 June 2026　／　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

Holding permanent residence and being granted naturalisation are completely different things. A denial often comes down to good conduct or the requirement to be able to make a living. If you find the exact cause and then build a record showing it has been put right, a fresh application can well be granted.

What is this enquiry about?

A person who has lived in Japan for many years as a permanent resident was denied naturalisation and asks how to prepare for a fresh application.

Subject: naturalisation (fresh application after a denial)
Situation: The enquirer has lived in Japan for about 10 years on the 在留資格「永住者」 (Permanent Resident). He recently filed a naturalisation application with the Legal Affairs Bureau, but it was denied.
Question: He cannot understand why a person with permanent residence would fail naturalisation. What should he watch out for when preparing the next application?

If I have permanent residence, will naturalisation be granted too?

Screening for permanent residence and screening for naturalisation are completely different, and naturalisation is said to be the stricter one.

Holding permanent residence and being granted naturalisation are completely different things. Permanent residence is screened by the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau). Naturalisation is screened by the Legal Affairs Bureau, on behalf of the Minister of Justice. The main reasons a permanent resident is refused naturalisation are said to lie in the areas that the Legal Affairs Bureau checks strictly in its own way: good conduct, meaning whether you follow the rules, and the requirement to be able to make a living, meaning the finances of your household. A denial does not shut the door forever. If you find the exact cause of the denial and build a record showing that it has been put right, a fresh application can well be granted.

What should I check before applying again?

4 points are raised: the payment deadlines for tax, pension and insurance; traffic violations; days spent outside Japan; and the situation of the family living with you.

Payment deadlines for tax, pension and insurance: it is not enough that no resident tax is unpaid. Whether you paid by the deadline is also treated as important. If, during a period when the tax was not deducted from your salary, you have a record of paying after the deadline, this is said to be capable of causing a denial.
Traffic violations: a 運転記録証明書 (driving record certificate) covering the last 5 years is submitted. As a guide in practice, if there are more than a certain number of violations, you may be regarded as not being of good conduct. If there is a serious violation, such as drink-driving or an accident causing injury, it is said that you cannot apply for several years.
Days spent outside Japan: if you leave Japan 1 time and stay away for a long period, or if you are outside Japan for more than a certain number of days in a year, it may be judged that the continuity of your residence has been broken.
Public duties and conduct of the family living with you: if a family member in your household has unpaid tax, or a serious criminal record, there are cases where the application is denied because the household is treated as one.

What are the actual steps towards a fresh application?

Find out why you were denied, allow a suitable period for the cause, and prepare a written explanation showing what you have changed.

The notice of denial does not state the actual reason. Contact the Legal Affairs Bureau that handled your last application and book an interview to ask about the reason for the denial.
Once you know the cause, allow a period of time to clear it. If late tax or pension payments were the cause, build up a clean payment record. If traffic violations were the cause, keep a period free of accidents and violations.
When you apply again, prepare and submit a 上申書 (written explanation) that reflects on the cause of the earlier denial and explains how you have improved your life since then.

First ask the Legal Affairs Bureau about the likely reason. Once you have correctly identified the cause, building up a proper record of daily life is said to be what leads to success in a fresh application.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I hold permanent residence, will naturalisation be granted?

No. It is a separate screening. Permanent residence is screened by the 地方出入国在留管理局, while naturalisation is screened by the Legal Affairs Bureau on behalf of the Minister of Justice, and the standards are different.

Where can I find out the reason for the denial?

The notice of denial does not state the actual reason. You need to contact the Legal Affairs Bureau that handled your last application and book an interview to ask about the reason for the denial.

How long should I wait before applying again?

It depends on the cause of the denial. Whether the cause was late tax or pension payments, or traffic violations, you need a period in which you build up a clean record.

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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.