Starting April 1, the Japanese government is introducing new, stricter requirements for those wishing to obtain citizenship, increasing the necessary residency period in the country from five to ten years, as reported by RIA Novosti.
Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi announced at a press conference that these changes require applicants not only to have a long residency but also to actively integrate into Japanese society.
Additionally, the verification period for tax payments is now five years instead of one, and social security contributions will be checked over two years instead of one. The compatibility with Japanese society is also taken into account when reviewing applications, including communication skills in the Japanese language.
It is important to note that the new requirements also apply to applications that have already been submitted. Previously, similar rules were in place for obtaining permanent residency.
Prime Minister Sanae Takichi had earlier instructed to tighten the conditions for naturalization, pointing out that the existing rules are too lenient. Previously, to obtain citizenship, one had to reside in Japan for five consecutive years, have no tax or social payment debts, and demonstrate a good reputation and a stable income.
Beremet Jumabekova
