Japanese Nationality Law - Dual Nationality

Dual Nationality

Japan does not allow dual citizenship except to those having acquired dual citizenship prior to January 1, 1985, when the Nationality Law was enacted, and anyone who willingly applies and obtains foreign citizenship automatically forfeits Japanese citizenship. The exception is where one is given special honorary citizenship by a foreign state. In this instance, since the person in question did not apply to acquire foreign citizenship, that person will not forfeit Japanese nationality by retaining the foreign citizenship bestowed on him or her.

A Japanese national may also acquire a second citizenship through no action of his or her own, such as being born to a non-Japanese citizen parent and acquiring that parent's citizenship as a result of that country's laws or by being born in a jus soli country. They must choose one citizenship/nationality before the age of 22 or within two years if the second citizenship is acquired after the age of 20, or they may lose their Japanese nationality.

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