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The residence requirement for 帰化 (naturalisation): a shift to 10 years in practice?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 6 April 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

The wording of the 国籍法 (Nationality Act) itself has not changed. But in screening practice, 5 years is treated as the minimum line, and, for balance with permanent residence, around 10 years of residence is said to be increasingly kept in mind. Checks on Japanese ability and on payment of public obligations are also said to have become stricter.

What is this enquiry about?

A guide for people who want to know how naturalisation screening has changed since April 2026.

Subject: how naturalisation screening is being run (as of April 2026)
Situation: a person considering naturalisation, who wants to understand the residence requirement and the changes in screening practice.
Question: does the common belief that you can naturalise once you have lived here 5 years still hold? What is said to have changed, and how?

How is the residence requirement said to be changing in practice?

The 5 years in the Nationality Act is only the minimum line. In practice, around 10 years is said to be the figure people have in mind.

国籍法第5条第1項第1号 states, as a condition for naturalisation, that you must have had an address in Japan for at least 5 years without interruption. As of 2026, however, people working in this field point to a reversal between the two systems: permanent residence usually asks for 10 years of residence, while naturalisation is in principle possible after 5 years. This is seen as a problem, and the following is said to be happening more often.

5 years is only the minimum line: if you apply right after 5 years, it is said that the office may be reluctant to accept the application because you are not yet settled enough in Japan, or that screening may drag on. Such cases are said to keep coming up.
Weight given to work experience: of those 5 years, the time actually in work, leaving out time as a student, is said to be looked for at 3 years or more, and preferably 5 years or more.

Unless you have made a special contribution, or you have the preferential treatment given to 高度専門職 (Highly Skilled Professional), it is said that an ordinary work visa holder who wants to be sure of naturalisation is now advised to have around 10 years of residence, the same as for permanent residence.

How have checks on Japanese ability and general knowledge changed?

More objective testing is said to have been brought in than before.

At many 法務局 (Legal Affairs Bureau), it is said that you may now be asked at the interview to write kanji on the spot, or to read a short passage and answer questions on it. It is also said that more is asked than language ability alone. You may be asked about the meaning of Japanese public holidays, how the pension system works, or how you think about voting. These are the basic knowledge and common sense a Japanese national is expected to have.

How have checks on public obligations and days outside Japan changed?

Paying by the due date, and the number of days you spend outside Japan each year, are said to be checked more strictly.

Paying by the due date: having nothing unpaid is said not to be enough on its own. It is said that they check strictly whether all tax, pension and health insurance over the past several years was paid within the due date.
Gaps in 国民年金 (National Pension) cover: cases come to light where a person did not properly switch to 国民年金 and pay it during a period when they were not in 厚生年金 (Employees' Pension). Denials, and advice to withdraw the application, are said to be increasing in such cases.
Days outside Japan: if you are outside Japan for many days in a year, it is said that the without interruption part of the residence requirement may be treated as broken. The same risk is said to arise where you leave Japan just 1 time but stay away for a long period.

How should I prepare if I am aiming for naturalisation?

Clean up your record early, check your Japanese again, and deepen your statement of motivation.

Clean up your record early: if you are unsure about tax or pension, start building a clean payment record at least 2 years before you apply.
Check your Japanese again: if you are unsure about reading and writing, keep studying with level N2 of the 日本語能力試験 (JLPT) as your target.
Deepen your statement of motivation: do not write a set piece. Build a statement of motivation that is tied closely to your own history.

Naturalisation is one of the biggest decisions in a life. Precisely because screening is getting stricter, support from a specialist who follows the law changes and the latest practice matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the 5 years written in the Nationality Act itself changed?

The wording itself has not changed. But in screening practice, around 10 years of residence is said to be increasingly kept in mind.

Does spending many days outside Japan each year count against naturalisation?

If you are outside Japan for many days in a year, or if you leave Japan just 1 time and stay away for a long period, the without interruption part of the residence requirement may be treated as broken.

How is Japanese ability checked now?

More objective testing is said to have been brought in, such as writing kanji on the spot at the interview, or a short reading comprehension test.

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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.