So, it has just come to my attention that in some countries (mine included) there is no way to renounce citizenship.
[https://best-citizenships.com/2018/12/09/these-countries-does-not-allow-renouncing-citizenship/](https://best-citizenships.com/2018/12/09/these-countries-does-not-allow-renouncing-citizenship/)
Also, in the MoJ webpage it is stated that:
*Those who wish to be naturalized must either have no nationality or, in principle, lose their nationality by naturalization. As an exception, in cases where the nationality of the country cannot be lost regardless of the intention of the person, naturalization may be permitted even if this condition is not met (Article 5, Paragraph 2 of the Japanese Nationality Act).*
Does this mean that there *is* a way to have dual citizenship (at least for people from those countries)? Is there anyone here who has done it and would like to share their experience? I would be very interested to hear.
8 comments
I haven’t done it myself, but I think you just need to put in “reasonable effort” to lose your previous nationality. So yes, it seems to be technically possible to keep both.
Edit: I stand corrected. See replies to this comment.
You only have to make “your best effort” to renounce your prior citizenship and you can get Japanese citizenship before successfully doing so.
If they feel you haven’t tried hard enough and In good faith it’s one of the few ways they can revoke your Japanese citizenship after the fact.
I have friends who were on that list and they did it.
If you naturalize as Japanese but are unable to renounce your citizenship, then yes, you would be a dual citizen.
If you obtain a foreign citizenship at birth, you can also be a dual citizen indefinitely. There is no fixed requirement that you relinquish your other nationalities, only that you choose to remain Japanese at the age of 20.
You just don’t use the previous country’s passport ever, if you want to keep good faith.
They never ask you for any document from previous country that states that you have renounced your citizenship.
Article 5 paragraph 1 (item 5) of the nationality act requires one to renounce their other nationalities to naturalize to Japan:
>that he or she has no nationality, or the acquisition of Japanese nationality will result in the loss of foreign nationality
However, those who cannot fulfill Article 5 paragraph 1 (item 5) may still be permitted naturalization via Article 5 paragraph 2:
>When an alien is, regardless of his or her intention, unable to deprive himself or herself of his or her current nationality, the Minister of Justice may permit the naturalization of the alien, notwithstanding that the alien does not fulfill the conditions set forth in item (5) of the preceding paragraph, if the Minister of Justice finds exceptional circumstances in his or her family relationship with a Japanese national, or other circumstances.
When the MOJ deem it an exceptional circumstance, such as a spouse and/or parent of Japanese nationals etc
https://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/tnl-01.html
After naturalization, You’d also have to make your Article 14 declaration of choice. Which obviously could cause issues with your other nationality because the Article 14 declaration of choice is essentially pledging full allegiance to Japan. So even though you may not be able to renounce CountryX…. CountryX might consider you a bit of a traitor (depending on how anal CountryX is)
Omggg I only WISH my country was on that list I would naturalise in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to give up my other citizenship for it 😢
As others mentioned, you can still naturalize even if you cannot renounce your current citizenship(s).
The case worker will be able to determine whether you need to give up your current citizenship(s), and if you need to, he/she will guide you when.
In case you don’t need to renounce, you still must submit the oath 国籍離脱(放棄)宣誓書 that will try your best to renounce foreign citizenship when you submit your application, and citizenship choice notification 国籍選択届 to your city hall once your application is successful.
Sauce: I did it myself and original citizenship is one that can’t be renounced.
Edit: I believe when you submit the citizenship choice notification, the Japanese government considers you only Japanese, although you’re technically a dual citizen. Although not sure on this.