Hi!
I’m moving to Japan in a few months for work (intra-company transfer). I used to live there on a student visa many years ago, but under my previous name/gender.
Would it be in my best interest to inform my company, and in turn immigration, about my name/gender change for the CoE application process so they can connect me to my previous identity? I spoke with the Japanese embassy in my country, and they said it shouldn’t be necessary unless prompted, but weren’t 100% sure.
The thing I’m most worried about is if I don’t inform them about it, could it have a negative impact on potential future naturalization or a PR application? I have no idea what the future holds after all, and while I’d rather not volunteer this information if I don’t have to, I also don’t want to sit there 5-10 years later having sabotaged my chances by having withheld my old identity in the eyes of immigration.
I realize this is probably not a very common experience, but if anyone has any insight it’d be most welcome!
(Edit: I should add, my company is a multi-national company and generally LGBTQ friendly, so I don’t think providing them with this info would affect my employment, but I’d still rather avoid it if I don’t have to)
4 comments
You asked the embassy and decided the proper course of action is to follow Reddit’s armchair guidance?
The section that asks about previous names or aliases used would be relevant and recommended.
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Embassies are notorious for being vague.
Just tell them everything in the documents. If you a national ID system that will help as well, since the Numbers will be prove of your identity.