What Does the Stricter Naturalization Requirement for Foreign Nationals Mean? Latest Developments and Expert Impact Analysis

1. Overview of the Latest News｜Background to the Stricter Naturalization Requirements

On November 25, 2025, a Kyodo News report revealed that the Japanese government is moving toward tightening the requirements for naturalization, a process through which foreign nationals acquire Japanese citizenship. Under the current system, a person may be eligible for naturalization if they have lived in Japan for five consecutive years or more. However, the government is now considering reviewing examination practices and effectively extending this “five-year” requirement.

At the same time, the government has indicated a direction toward placing greater weight on tax payment history and social insurance premium records, evaluating them more strictly than before. Toward the Comprehensive Policy Package on Foreign Nationals scheduled for January 2026, the government is reviewing the naturalization requirements as part of a broader reconsideration of related systems.

1. Proposed Revision of the “5+ Years of Residence” Requirement

Under the current naturalization rules, applicants must have maintained an address in Japan for at least five consecutive years. The proposal reported does not immediately involve rewriting the law itself. Rather, it suggests tightening examination practices so that the actual residence period and living conditions required become substantially higher.

Specifically, instead of simply confirming a “5-year residence record,” examiners may more carefully review employment stability, income, tax payment history, and social insurance premium payments to assess whether the applicant has a long-term, stable foundation for living in Japan.

As a result, even if someone has formally lived in Japan for five years, cases involving frequent short-term unemployment, large fluctuations in income, or notable delays or non-payment of taxes/insurance premiums may be less likely to be approved. In practice, the “5-year” threshold may remain unchanged on paper, but the effective requirement is expected to shift toward “a longer and more stable period of residence.”

2. Comparison with Permanent Residency (10+ Years) and Related Issues

For foreign nationals aiming for long-term or permanent residence in Japan, the two major options are “Permanent Residency” and “Naturalization.”

In general, permanent residency requires 10 years or more of residence, whereas naturalization requires 5 years of residence, making naturalization appear more accessible in terms of the years required.

For this reason, a midterm report from a Ministry of Justice advisory group noted that “naturalization requirements are more lenient compared to permanent residency.”

However, naturalization results in the acquisition of Japanese nationality itself, which includes rights such as voting and candidacy—rights even permanent residents do not have. Given this, allowing naturalization based on relatively lighter requirements regarding residence period, tax compliance, and social insurance may undermine the seriousness of granting nationality. This concern forms the backdrop of the current debate on tightening requirements.

Future reviews will focus on two key questions: How much should the gap between permanent residency and naturalization be narrowed? and Where should the threshold be set going forward?

3. Government Timeline for Policy Review (Comprehensive Policy Package in January 2026)

The current tightening initiative is not being pursued as a standalone legal amendment. Instead, it is positioned within a broader effort aiming at revising Japan’s overall foreign resident policy framework.

According to reports, the government plans to compile a “Comprehensive Policy Package on Foreign Nationals” around January 2026, with naturalization requirement reform expected to be one of the major topics.

Additionally, during the Cabinet Ministers’ Meeting on November 4, 2025, the Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Justice to begin examination of the issue, and specific system design discussions are already underway among government agencies and experts.

Although no concrete figures—such as “how many years will be required” after revision—have been announced, it is likely that the direction will be clarified within FY2025. The next 1–2 years are expected to be a period of significant change in both naturalization and permanent residency examination practices. Foreign nationals considering naturalization should monitor government announcements closely and consult a specialist early.

2. Difference Between “Naturalization” and “Permanent Residency” — Why Is Naturalization Seen as More Lenient?

For foreign nationals who wish to live in Japan over the long term, both “Permanent Residency” and “Naturalization” are major milestones.

In recent years, however, there has been a recurring concern that “the requirements for naturalization are more lenient than those for permanent residency.” The current discussion on tightening naturalization requirements is an extension of this long-standing debate.

On this page, rather than going into every procedural detail, we focus on the question of “why naturalization is perceived as more lenient” and organize the positions of the two systems and key discussion points.

For a detailed comparison of the specific requirements and the pros and cons of each option, please refer to the page below.

Thorough Comparison of Naturalization and Permanent Residency｜2025 Latest Guide

Experts explain in detail the pros and cons of naturalization and permanent residency, as well as the differences in eligibility requirements and examination standards.

1. The Gap in Residence Periods: 10+ Years for Permanent Residency vs. 5+ Years for Naturalization

The first thing many foreign residents notice when considering long-term stay in Japan is the difference in required years of residence.

In a typical case, permanent residency requires “10 or more years of residence in Japan” (with some exceptions). In contrast, one of the conditions for naturalization is “having an address in Japan for more than five consecutive years”. In simple numerical terms, this means that permanent residency requires roughly twice the period of residence.

As a result, we get a structure in which “naturalization, which leads to Japanese nationality itself, can be reached in a shorter period than permanent residency, which is only a status of residence.” This naturally leads to the impression that “naturalization is more lenient.”

In actual examinations, however, not only the number of years but also the applicant’s stay history, stability of life, and family situation are considered comprehensively.

The difference in years is only one aspect at the entry point, but because it is such a visually clear numerical difference, it easily becomes a focal point in the debate.

2. Different Treatment of Tax and Social Insurance Payments

Another key issue in discussions comparing permanent residency and naturalization is the treatment of tax and social insurance payment records.

For both procedures, whether the applicant has properly paid resident tax, income tax, pension contributions, and health insurance premiums is a critical examination item, and arrears or non-payment become grounds for careful scrutiny. In practice, however, many practitioners have felt that permanent residency examinations check payment status more strictly.

In particular, permanent residency strongly emphasizes stable income and continuous tax/insurance payments over a long period, whereas naturalization is structurally characterized by a shorter period under review, simply because the required residence period is shorter.

This has been cited as one factor that “makes naturalization appear to have a more lenient review of tax and social insurance records.”

In the current tightening debate, the government is considering a direction in which tax arrears and social insurance payment history will be evaluated more strictly in naturalization examinations as well, with the apparent aim of narrowing the gap with permanent residency examinations.

3. Points Raised in the Former Justice Minister’s Private Study Group Report

The move to seriously tighten naturalization requirements is also closely linked to observations made by a private study group under the Minister of Justice.

According to media reports, the mid-term report of the “Private Study Group on Foreign National Policy” established under the former Minister of Justice stated that “naturalization requirements are more lenient than those for permanent residency.” The report specifically highlighted issues such as the difference in required residence periods and practical gaps in how tax and social insurance records are examined.

This report does not, by itself, demand immediate legal amendments, but it serves as a “framework for key issues” for the government as it considers future foreign resident policies. It can be seen as providing the foundation for the current debate on revising naturalization requirements.

Going forward, based on these observations, key policy questions will include how to balance permanent residency and naturalization and to what extent their requirements should be brought closer together.

3. Three Core Points of the Stricter Requirements

The proposed review of naturalization requirements is not a simple numerical change such as “just increasing the number of years.” Rather, the main direction is to tighten the examination practices themselves and effectively raise the hurdle for approval.

Based on government comments and media reports, we can identify three core points in this tightening trend.

1. Practical Extension of the Residence Requirement (5+ Years)

Under current law, one of the conditions for naturalization is having “an address in Japan for more than five consecutive years.” The proposed changes do not simply rewrite the statutory wording; according to reports, they would revise how the criteria are applied in practice so that, in effect, a longer and more stable residence is required.

For example, even if someone formally has five years of residence, cases where there were long periods of unemployment or frequent changes of status of residence during that time may be judged as having “insufficient stability in their life.”

In addition, the frequency of overseas trips and returns may also be reviewed, so whether the applicant has actually maintained a continuous, stable life in Japan for five or more years is likely to be given greater weight than before.

2. Stricter Screening of Tax and Social Insurance Arrears

Perhaps the most closely watched aspect of the proposed changes is the tighter scrutiny of tax and social insurance payment records. These points are already emphasized in permanent residency examinations, but naturalization has been criticized as having a “shorter review period” and “more lenient screening.”

Going forward, it is expected that resident tax, income tax, National Health Insurance premiums, and Employees’ Pension contributions will be reviewed over the past several years, and that any arrears or non-payment will more easily lead to non-approval than before.

Even salaried workers may be affected in cases where, for example, their employer delayed paying required insurance premiums, so applicants will need to check their records more carefully.

Overall, this trend reflects a government policy of reaffirming the importance of tax and social insurance compliance in acquiring nationality and narrowing the gap with permanent residency standards.

3. Stronger Evaluation of Life Foundation and Continuity in Japan

The third pillar of the review is an examination practice that puts greater emphasis on the stability and continuity of the applicant’s life base in Japan. While naturalization examinations have always involved some level of confirmation in this area, the current debate suggests a direction toward reviewing these factors in “greater detail and over a longer period of time.”

In particular, the following points may receive more attention in future examinations:

• Stability of employment (type of employment, number of job changes, income fluctuations, etc.)
• Long-term stability of residence (whether there have been frequent moves, etc.)
• Family situation and actual living conditions of dependents
• Ties to Japanese society (continuity in community activities, school, and workplace, etc.)

If these aspects are tightened, then merely having “5 years of residence” will no longer be sufficient. Applicants will increasingly need to demonstrate a stable life foundation and a clear, sustained intention and reality of living in Japan over the long term.

The current review of naturalization requirements is therefore expected to be an important step toward narrowing the gap with permanent residency standards and moving to a more substantive examination that reflects the gravity of granting Japanese nationality.

4. Impact on Foreign Nationals Planning to Apply for Naturalization

The tightening of naturalization requirements is a crucial issue for foreign nationals already living in Japan, as it directly affects their life planning in terms of “when and at what timing to apply.” Based on the current media reports, this section summarizes how the expected changes in examination policy may affect those who are planning to apply for naturalization.

Although no specific revised articles or numerical targets have been finalized at this stage, it is widely believed that the general direction toward stricter examination practices is almost certain. Therefore, rather than thinking that this is “something far in the future,” it is important to start preparing now.

1. Possibility of Longer Examination Periods

One of the areas likely to be affected first by stricter requirements is the time required for examination (processing period).

If tax payment records, social insurance contributions, and employment history are checked in more detail, the workload at Legal Affairs Bureaus and the Ministry of Justice will inevitably increase. As a result, there is a real possibility that more additional documents will be requested and the examination period itself will become longer than before.

Even under the current system, in regions where the number of applications is increasing or in urban areas with a high concentration of foreign residents, it is not uncommon for examinations to take more than one year. With stricter requirements, it is reasonable to expect that the standard processing time may become even longer.

Anyone considering naturalization should therefore work backwards from “when they need Japanese nationality” and take action early. You will increasingly need to plan your schedule carefully in light of major life events such as further education, job changes, or overseas assignments.

2. Treatment of Past Unpaid Taxes, Pension, and Health Insurance

A particularly emphasized point in the current discussion is that the authorities will evaluate unpaid or overdue taxes and social insurance premiums more strictly.

Until now, the payment status of resident tax, National Health Insurance premiums, National Pension and Employees’ Pension contributions, and similar items has already been part of the examination. In some cases, delays or installment payments over a certain period could still be accepted depending on the circumstances.

Going forward, however, it is highly likely that more severe judgments will be made when arrears or non-payment are found. Specifically, the following points may become problematic:

• Periods in the past when resident tax was in arrears or paid in installments for several months or longer
• Long stretches during which the applicant was not enrolled in, or did not pay, National Pension
• Records of reminders, dunning, or enforcement (such as seizure) related to National Health Insurance premiums

These issues do not necessarily mean that naturalization will be “absolutely impossible,” but it is expected that explanations of the circumstances and proof of improvement will be required more rigorously.

Those who have had arrears or non-payment in the past should pay off all outstanding amounts as early as possible and maintain a clean payment record without delays for a certain period thereafter. On top of this, it is advisable to consult a specialist when necessary and consider which timing for application would carry the least risk.

3. Different Points of Attention for Employees vs. Self-employed and Freelancers

As tax and social insurance examinations become stricter, the points requiring attention will vary depending on the form of income and working style.

In general, salaried employees (those with employment income) are said to have relatively well-organized records because their company withholds income tax and deducts social insurance premiums at source. That said, if they have changed jobs frequently or had periods in which they were enrolled in National Health Insurance and National Pension instead of employees’ social insurance, the payment status during those periods also needs to be confirmed.

On the other hand, self-employed individuals and freelancers must manage their own tax returns and payments for National Health Insurance and National Pension.

In industries where income fluctuates significantly, there may be records showing that insurance premiums were reduced, exempted, or paid in installments for a certain period, so it is important to整理 and understand how such records are likely to be evaluated in advance.

In light of the upcoming tightening, it is advisable to keep the following points in mind:

• Employees: organize your insurance enrollment history during job changes or periods of unemployment, and make sure there are no gaps in coverage.
• Self-employed/Freelancers: prepare your tax returns, tax payment certificates, and insurance premium payment records as a complete set.
• In either case: gather documents that clearly show “full payment” status for the past several years.

Regardless of your working style, being able to clearly explain “when and how you have paid the taxes and insurance premiums you are responsible for” is a key point in preparing for the naturalization examination.

4. Possibility of Future Higher Requirements (e.g., 7–8 Years of Residence)

Although no official figure such as “the requirement will be raised to X years” has been decided at this time, some experts point out that there is a real possibility that the naturalization requirements will be raised to a level closer to permanent residency.

Specifically, scenarios being discussed among experts include formally revising the residence requirement upward to around 7–8 years, as well as keeping the statutory number of years unchanged while raising the effective standard through stricter practices.

Whichever model is ultimately adopted, one thing remains true: “those who start preparing early will have more options.”

For those who have already lived in Japan for more than five years, this is effectively the time to consider whether to apply within the next few years or to plan on a longer timeline based on the expectation of new standards.

In many cases, system reforms include a grace period between promulgation and enforcement, so “from when the new rules will apply” becomes extremely important. We recommend that you regularly check media reports and official government announcements, and if you feel uncertain, consult a specialist early and run simulations based on your specific circumstances.

5. Summary of the Stricter Naturalization Requirements

The recently reported tightening of naturalization requirements is not simply about “raising the bar.” Rather, it marks a turning point toward placing greater emphasis than ever on tax compliance, social insurance, and the stability of one’s life foundation when acquiring Japanese nationality.

For foreign nationals considering an application for naturalization, it is essential to organize past records of taxes, pension, and health insurance as early as possible and determine “at what timing an application would be the safest.”

Even for those who have already lived in Japan for more than five years, we are entering an era in which it is necessary to check not only the number of years of residence, but also tax payment status, social insurance premiums, income level, and the family’s overall life foundation.

Although no concrete guidelines or specific draft amendments have been published at the time of writing, the choice between “postponing the application for some day in the future” and “starting preparations before the system changes” will significantly affect the options available to you. It is important to use the current tightening trend as a positive opportunity to review your long-term life plan in Japan and the timing of acquiring Japanese nationality.

Sources / References (Primary Information)

• Kyodo News article “Government to Tighten Requirements for Foreigners’ Naturalization – Considering Extension of ‘5+ Years of Residence’” (Ryukyu Shimpo Digital, published and updated on 25 November 2025)
• Kyodo News article “Government to Tighten Requirements for Foreigners’ Naturalization – Considering Extension of ‘5+ Years of Residence’” (Sponichi Annex, published on 26 November 2025)
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice, “Summary of Key Issues for Reviewing the Basic Approach to Accepting Foreign Nationals” (Interim report of the Minister of Justice’s Private Study Group, released on 13 August 2025)
• Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice, “Trends in the Number of Naturalization Applications and Approvals” and “Number of Naturalization Approvals by Nationality” (statistical data on the number of applicants, approvals, and denials)

* This page has been prepared and explained by Gyoseishoshi Hojin ACROSEED from a practical perspective, based on the above publicly available materials, statistics, and media reports.
* The specific operation and numerical standards of the naturalization requirements may change in the future, depending on the government’s forthcoming “Comprehensive Policy Package on Foreign Nationals” and related laws and guidelines. Please always confirm against the latest primary information.

6. Related Pages on Naturalization and Permanent Residency

Japan Naturalization Application Guide

Experts explain in detail the requirements for naturalization, the step-by-step application process, and the necessary documents.

Japan Permanent Residency Application Guide

A comprehensive overview of permanent residency applications in Japan. We thoroughly explain the key requirements (income, years of stay, tax/pension compliance), typical patterns by status of residence, and what to do if your application is denied.

Thorough Comparison of Naturalization and Permanent Residency｜2025 Latest Guide

Experts provide an in-depth explanation of the pros and cons of naturalization and permanent residency, as well as differences in eligibility requirements and examination standards.

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