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）
When a person with dual nationality applies to naturalise, some special steps and points to watch come on top of the usual application. As a rule you must show that you intend to lose both foreign nationalities. Declaring your nationalities accurately, and checking how each country lets you give up its nationality, are the important parts.
The enquirer holds 2 nationalities and has lived in Japan for at least 5 years. He asks about special steps and points to watch when applying to naturalise.
You must declare your nationalities accurately, and show that you intend to give up both of them.
Where giving it up is extremely difficult, explaining the circumstances may bring an exception into play.
If the law of one of the countries does not allow you to give up its nationality, or the procedure for doing so is extremely difficult, you can file documents explaining those circumstances in detail. With the permission of the Minister of Justice, it may then be possible to naturalise without giving up the foreign nationality (国籍法第5条第2項). Whether this exception applies is judged on the individual situation. First, check the procedure for giving up nationality with each country's embassy or consulate.
After naturalisation is granted, you must in principle give up the foreign nationality you held until then. Go through each country's own procedure, under that country's law, promptly after permission is granted.
Talk both to the 法務局 and to the countries concerned in advance.
Before you apply to naturalise, always talk to the nationality section (国籍課) of the 法務局 with jurisdiction. Explain your nationality situation in detail, and check what steps and documents are needed. Alongside that, ask each country's embassy or consulate in Japan in advance about giving up its nationality and about the documents needed. If there is something that makes it hard to give up a nationality by your own wish alone, tell the 法務局 honestly and follow their guidance.
As a rule you must give up the foreign nationality you held until then. After permission is granted, you need to go through each country's own procedure for giving up its nationality promptly, under that country's law.
By filing documents explaining those circumstances in detail, it may be possible to naturalise without giving up the foreign nationality, with the permission of the Minister of Justice. It is judged on the individual situation.
Where both foreign nationalities are held, screening at the 法務局 may take longer than usual.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.