Dual citizenship in Japan A “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy leaves many in the dark

4 comments

1. Japan’s Nationality Act asks young adults with multiple citizenships to choose one country, but it appears that not everyone does. Many choose to live in the gray zone. Similarly, many Japanese seeking a life abroad are required to give up their Japanese passport. How long can Japan look the other way?

2. The Japanese law is clear; you must chose one of your nationalities. It does not ask you to renounce to one. So if you have both nationalities, when asked, you only need to say you want to be Japanese. End of the story.

   By the way, this is also confirmed by the French consulate in Japan.[https://solidairesaujapon.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/binationalitecc81-et-loi-japonaise-v12-1.pdf](https://solidairesaujapon.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/binationalitecc81-et-loi-japonaise-v12-1.pdf)

3. Never going to happen, dual-citizenship is a gift that I gave my children so they have the option to thrive no matter where they are.

   Governments are about control, and restricting people’s movements based on these dumb little books is frustrating for those of us who can’t just swap them out when they give us shit at the customs counter.

   I’ve seen them defeated by dual citizenship first-hand and if I couldn’t have that power then my children will.

4. I renewed my japanese passport a few months ago, I’m 28, they asked for my us passport, was ready to go with the “I want to remain japanese, will let my us expire” take but guy was like “oh yeah we don’t care we just want to make sure of your status here”. I think by law they care but workers at least stateside do not