What is asked at the 帰化 (naturalisation) interview, and how do you prepare?
Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) ／ Published ／ Last updated
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
In a naturalisation application, there is an interview with an officer of the 法務局 after you file your documents. It is where they check your intention to naturalise, how settled you are in Japan, your Japanese ability, and whether what you filed is true. Read your documents again, answer honestly, and stay calm. That matters more than anything else.
What is this enquiry about?
A guide for people with an interview ahead of them, who want to know what will be asked and how to prepare.
Subject: preparing for the naturalisation interview
Situation: the documents for the naturalisation application have been filed, and an interview with an officer of the 法務局 is coming up.
Question: what is checked at the interview? What kind of questions are asked? How should you behave on the day, and what can you prepare beforehand?
Why is the interview held?
To look, as a whole, at whether you intend to settle in Japan and whether you are suited to living here.
The interview with the officer of the 法務局 is not just a formality. It is held mainly to check the following points.
Your intention to naturalise: do you really want to acquire Japanese nationality?
How settled you are in Japan: do you have the will and the ability to fit into Japanese society and live as a Japanese national?
Japanese ability: can you hold an everyday conversation and make yourself understood in Japanese?
Understanding of Japanese society and culture: are you trying to understand Japanese law, customs and culture?
Whether what you filed is true: are there mistakes or false statements in the documents you filed?
Whether granting naturalisation is appropriate: looking at your situation as a whole, is it right to grant it?
What questions are asked at the interview?
Mostly about you, your reasons for naturalising, your understanding of Japanese society, your family, and the documents you filed.
What you are asked depends on your own situation. In general, the following questions are common.
1. About you
Your name, age, date of birth, where you are from, and who is in your family
Why you came to Japan, your 在留期間 (period of stay), and your current 在留資格 (status of residence)
How you have studied Japanese, and your Japanese ability now
Your life in Japan, and your friendships
What your work involves, and your income
Your health
2. Your reasons for naturalising
Why you want to naturalise in Japan
When you began to think about naturalising
What you like about Japan, and what draws you to it
What you want to do once you have Japanese nationality, and your plans for the future
How you feel about losing your foreign nationality
3. Japanese society and culture
What you know about Japanese law and public systems (for example compulsory education (義務教育), paying tax, and elections)
What you know about Japanese culture and customs (for example seasonal events and manners)
Whether you follow the news and social issues in Japan
A Japanese person you respect, or a great figure from Japan's past
Places and food you like in Japan
4. Family and relatives
Who is in your family, what each of them does, and their connection with Japan
Whether your family agrees to your naturalising
Your relationship with family in your home country
5. The documents you filed
Checking the contents of the documents you filed (履歴書 (curriculum vitae), 親族の概要書 (outline of relatives), 生計の概要書 (outline of your livelihood) and so on)
What was hard or unclear when you prepared the documents
Your past entries and departures, and past changes of 在留資格
6. Other
Whether you have any traffic violations or criminal record (and the details, if you do)
Whether you have debts or unpaid tax (and the details, if you do)
These are only common examples, and other questions may come up. Prepare so that you can answer a range of questions about your own situation.
What should I watch for on the day?
Be on time, dress cleanly, and say honestly when you do not know something.
Do not be late: make sure you arrive at the time you were given.
Dress cleanly: wear clean, sensible clothes (a suit is not required).
Speak politely: use polite language with the officer.
Speak clearly: use a voice that is easy to hear.
Answer honestly: if you do not know something, or you are not sure, say so honestly. Do not lie or cover things up.
Listen to the question: make sure you have understood it before you answer.
Stay calm: you will be nervous. Take a breath and stay calm.
Follow the officer's instructions: do as the interviewer asks.
What can I prepare in advance?
Mainly reading your documents again, and working out your answers to likely questions.
Go through your application documents again: look again at what you filed, so that you can answer smoothly when you are asked about it.
Prepare answers to likely questions: use the examples above and think out, in concrete terms, how you would answer.
Practise speaking Japanese: practise everyday conversation so that you can say what you think and feel accurately in Japanese. If you can, make chances to talk with Japanese people.
Go over your knowledge of Japanese society and culture: read up on basic Japanese law and public systems, and follow the news.
Be clear about why you want to naturalise: set out your reasons for yourself again.
Mock interview: if you can, ask family, friends or a teacher at your Japanese language school to help, and do a mock interview.
Look after your health: sleep well the night before, and go in calm.
The interview is also a chance to say directly how you feel about Japan. You do not need to be too nervous, but do prepare before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is checked at the naturalisation interview?
They look as a whole at your intention to naturalise, how settled you are in Japan, your Japanese ability, your understanding of Japanese society and culture, whether what you filed is true, and whether granting naturalisation is appropriate.
Do I need to wear a suit to the interview?
A suit is not required. Clean, sensible clothes are fine.
What should I do if I cannot answer a question well?
If you do not know something, or you are not sure, say so honestly. Do not lie or cover things up. Make sure you have understood the question, then answer calmly.
Is there anything I can prepare before the interview?
Read again the documents you filed, work out your answers to likely questions, practise conversation in Japanese, go over Japanese law, public systems and the news, and try a mock interview.
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.
