I am second generation Japanese. My mother is Japanese and was a Japanese citizen when I was born in USA. I always identified more with Japanese friends, family and culture. I am married with 1 son (14 months) who are both American citizens. My mother is no longer a Japanese citizen and is now an American naturalized citizen.
I have been wanting to move to Japan for a long time now and feel a growing urge to fulfill this part of my life. I do not think that I have been added to my family koseki and have never been a Japanese citizen as a result. My wife has told me that I should request to have my name added so that I can be easily eligible for visa for Japan which would make the job search much easier (non sponsor needed).
Is this correct that I can do this? What steps must my family in Japan take to do this? My grandmother is still alive in Japan if this is helpful.
by alexseiji
4 comments
You wouldn’t be able to get yourself added now. Your birth had to be reported to Japan within a certain number of days of your birth in order to get citizenship. After that it’s not possible anymore unless you naturalize.
If your mother was a Japanese citizen at the time of your birth and you are able to get a copy of her koseki, then you should be eligible for the Child of Japanese national visa.
If you weren’t added to the family registry within 3 months of your birth, then you’re not a Japanese citizen. But since your mother was a Japanese citizen at the time of your birth you’ll still qualify for Child of a Japanese national status.
You can review the status and required documents here:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/spouseorchildofjapanese02.html?hl=en
If you know which cityhall your mothers koseki is stored in, you can get a recent copy and see if you’re on it. That would also be the place to submit any notifications required to have you added if need be. Check out the website of the cityhall to find the forms and see what they’ll let you do online or via mail (and what would need your grandmother to go in person for).
Good luck!
You are also second generation, not first generation as that’s what your mom is.
Only Japanese citizens go on the Koseki.
You are not a Japanese citizen. But since your parent is Japanese citizen you can apply for the 日本人の配偶者等 Visa (the 等 (etc.) includes “children” but since the most common visa is spouse it’s front and center)
That visa will have zero work restrictions.
Also, as a child of a Japanese citizen you are eligible for expedited naturalization if you wish.
I think you need to live in Japan for 1 year before apply (as compared to 5 years for normal foreigners)
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