Comprehensive Guide to the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Status of Residence

What is commonly referred to as the “Japanese Spouse Visa” is officially known as the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”. However, this status is not limited only to legally married spouses. In addition to spouses by marriage, it may also apply to spouses of former Japanese nationals and individuals born as children of Japanese nationals.

Rather than explaining individual application procedures or required documents, this page provides an overview of the entire制度 framework and differences by case, helping you determine which category best applies to your situation.

1. Conclusion First: “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Is Not Limited to Marriage

The status often called the “Japanese Spouse Visa” is officially the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”. Although the name may suggest it is only for those married to Japanese nationals, it actually includes cases beyond marriage. This comprehensive page first clarifies the scope of who is covered, so you can confidently choose the appropriate procedure for your situation.

(1) Three Categories Included in This Status

The Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” consists of the following three main categories. Depending on which category applies, the required evidence and documentation strategy will differ.

• Spouse of a Japanese National: A spouse based on a legally registered marriage
• Specially Adopted Child of a Japanese National: A child adopted through formal Family Court procedures
• Person Born as a Child of a Japanese National: A biological child of a Japanese national who does not hold Japanese nationality due to specific circumstances

While inquiries regarding spouses of Japanese nationals are the most common, there are also a significant number of consultations concerning persons born as children of Japanese nationals.

2. Three Representative Cases Where the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” Applies

The Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” is not limited only to “foreign nationals married to a Japanese national.” In practice, depending on factors such as marriage, renunciation of Japanese nationality, and nationality status at birth, the applicable case and key points to substantiate can differ significantly.

Here, as a comprehensive hub page, we整理 and summarize three representative cases that are frequently consulted in practice, and guide you to the service pages that explain each case in detail. Please start with the case that is closest to your situation.

1. Case of obtaining a Japanese Spouse Visa through international marriage

This is the most common case under “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” applicable when you are legally married to a Japanese national and plan to live together as a married couple in Japan.

Examples include inviting your spouse while living overseas, or getting married while staying in Japan on a short-term stay, student, or work status. A key feature is that the available procedural options vary depending on your current place of residence and your current status of residence.

For details on obtaining a Japanese Spouse Visa through marriage, please refer to the page below.

Service for obtaining a Japanese Spouse Visa through marriage

This is a comprehensive guide for those who have married a Japanese national and wish to live in Japan as a spouse.
It organizes the best application routes and preparation points by situation, including living overseas, living in Japan, and changing from short-term stay.

2. Case where a former Japanese national (a person who renounced Japanese nationality) obtains a Japanese Spouse Visa

If a former Japanese national who renounced Japanese nationality while living overseas and acquired local nationality returns to Japan, they must obtain a new status of residence as a foreign national.

In this case, since the person is considered a person born as a child of a Japanese national, the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” applies.

For details on obtaining a Japanese Spouse Visa for former Japanese nationals (persons who renounced Japanese nationality), please refer to the page below.

Obtaining a Japanese Spouse Visa for former Japanese nationals (persons who renounced Japanese nationality)

An administrative scrivener explains in an easy-to-understand manner the case in which a former Japanese national obtains a Japanese Spouse Visa when returning to Japan.

3. Case of a person born as a child of a Japanese national

This case applies to a person whose father or mother held Japanese nationality at the time of birth, but who grew up without Japanese nationality due to the nationality acquisition process or family circumstances.

This area is often confused with “Nikkei (persons of Japanese descent),” but the key criterion is the parent’s nationality at the time of birth, and the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” may apply.

For details on obtaining the “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” status for a person born as a child of a Japanese national, please refer to the page below.

Guide to the status of residence for a person born as a child of a Japanese national

Explains the status of residence for foreign nationals with Japanese parents to live in Japan.
Organizes eligibility requirements, required documents, differences from Nikkei, and key points with an eye toward future permanent residency or naturalization.

3. Why even people with Japanese parentage may need a status of residence

“A person born as a child of a Japanese national” refers to a biological child (legitimate child or an acknowledged non-legitimate child) whose father or mother held Japanese nationality at the time of birth. A common point of confusion is: “If you are a child of a Japanese national, don’t you automatically have Japanese nationality (or a status of residence)?”

In conclusion, having Japanese blood and having legal status to stay in Japan (nationality or a status of residence) may be treated as separate systems. Therefore, depending on the situation, even a “child of a Japanese national” may need a “status of residence.”

1. The difference between jus sanguinis and jus soli

Japan’s Nationality Act is fundamentally based on jus sanguinis. In other words, nationality is not determined solely by the place of birth (Japan or overseas). On the other hand, if the nationality acquisition procedures are not completed at birth, or if the person does not hold Japanese nationality due to other reasons (or chose not to), then the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” may be necessary to ensure stable residence in Japan.

2. Cases where Japanese nationality is not obtained or cannot be obtained

Even if the father or mother is a Japanese national at the time of birth, the handling of Japanese nationality can become complex depending on notifications and circumstances. In addition, there may be situations during one’s upbringing where nationality selection is required, or issues with family circumstances or the timing of procedures, resulting in cases where a person wishes to stay in Japan while not holding Japanese nationality.

The key point is that even if “having Japanese blood” is true as a fact, the “legal basis to reside in Japan” will be整理 as either nationality or a status of residence. As a result of that整理, the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” may apply instead of nationality.

4. Differences between “a person born as a child of a Japanese national” and “Nikkei (persons of Japanese descent)”

“A person born as a child of a Japanese national” is one of the categories that is easy to be confused with “Nikkei (persons of Japanese descent).” Both are based on Japanese family ties, but their legal positioning and how their statuses of residence are considered are fundamentally different.

If this difference is not understood correctly, you may end up considering a status of residence that does not actually apply, or conversely, you may overlook a status that could potentially be granted.

1. What are Nikkei?

In general, “Nikkei” refers to descendants of Japanese people who emigrated from Japan to other countries, such as foreign nationals whose grandparents or great-grandparents were Japanese. Representative examples are found in many cases in South America, including Brazil and Peru.

For Nikkei, the status of residence most commonly considered is “Long-Term Resident”, and whether it is granted is determined based on factors such as the generation of the family relationship and the family structure.

2. The decisive difference from “a person born as a child of a Japanese national”

“A person born as a child of a Japanese national” is premised on the fact that either the father or the mother held Japanese nationality at the time of birth. This is clearly different in legal positioning from Nikkei, where the grandparents or great-grandparents are Japanese.

In other words, “a person born as a child of a Japanese national” is categorized as having a closer family relationship to a Japanese national, and the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” may apply. In contrast, Nikkei does not fall under this status and is considered under a different framework (such as Long-Term Resident).

3. Cases where it is easy to be unsure which category applies

In the following cases, people may be unsure whether they are “a person born as a child of a Japanese national” or “Nikkei.”

• The father or mother has renounced Japanese nationality, but was Japanese at the time of the person’s birth
• A Japanese parent died before the person’s birth
• The person was born to an unmarried Japanese parent and was acknowledged later

In such cases, the parent’s nationality at the time of birth and whether and when acknowledgment (recognition) took place are important. People often assume “Nikkei” based on appearance or nationality impressions, but in practice, there are many cases that may actually fall under “a person born as a child of a Japanese national.”

“A person born as a child of a Japanese national” and “Nikkei” may look similar, but they are completely different entry points under the system. Correctly organizing which category applies can affect the stability of one’s residence and prospects for renewal or permanent residency.

First, it is important to organize your situation based on whether “your parent (father/mother) was Japanese” and “when that was the case,” and then confirm which case your circumstances most closely match.

5. Which case applies to you? Checkpoints for determining eligibility

The Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” includes not only “marriage (spouse of a Japanese national)”, but also cases related to former Japanese nationality (renunciation of nationality) and persons born as children of Japanese nationals. However, eligibility depends on conditions such as family register, nationality, acknowledgment, and marriage, so first organize your situation using the checkpoints below.

(1) First, confirm: Which “entry point” applies to you?

(2) Points where the judgment is often difficult (common uncertainties)

• “My parent was Japanese, but has now renounced Japanese nationality.”
  → What matters is “whether the parent was Japanese at the time of your birth.” The nationality at birth is the key.
• “My father is Japanese, but my parents were not married.”
  → The organization depends on whether and when acknowledgment (recognition) took place (e.g., acknowledgment before/after birth).
• “I believe I am a child of a Japanese national, but my nationality is not Japanese.”
  → The handling may differ depending on the history of nationality acquisition, reservation, or selection. Check the family register and notification status.
• “I’m not sure whether I am a former Japanese national (a person who renounced Japanese nationality).”
  → The route depends on whether you previously held Japanese nationality, the circumstances of renunciation, and family relationships (spouse/children).
  ▶ Obtaining a Japanese Spouse Visa for former Japanese nationals (persons who renounced Japanese nationality)

(3) Organizing the application route (from overseas? or within Japan?)

Even within the same case, the application route differs depending on where you currently are. As a rough guide, organizing as follows tends to be smooth.

If you first organize “which case applies” × “which route you will apply through”, preparing documents and structuring explanations becomes much smoother.

Pages Often Read Together When Applying for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa) Application Guide

An administrative scrivener explains the requirements for obtaining a spouse visa (marriage), working under a spouse visa, applying for permanent residency from a spouse visa, what happens in the event of divorce under a spouse visa, required documents, and more.

[FY2025 Edition] Spouse Visa of a Japanese National Renewal Procedures Guide

Renewal procedures for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National (Marriage Visa). An administrative scrivener explains the required document checklist, how to avoid denial cases, and key points to prove eligibility for obtaining a 3-year or 5-year period of stay.

Applying for Permanent Residency from a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National

At ACROSEED, we have a proven track record not only with first-time spouse visa applications, but also with cases that were denied multiple times when filed by the applicant alone, as well as procedures for those with past legal violations or a history of overstaying—across a wide variety of situations.

For More Detailed Questions About the Spouse Visa System

Please explain the requirements for obtaining a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National in detail
Periods of stay for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Differences between 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years
Required documents & Statement of Reasons for a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: Key examination points and preparation tips (Latest Edition)
How to invite a foreign spouse living overseas to Japan with a COE
Can we apply for a Certificate of Eligibility while both spouses remain overseas?
Changing from a short-term visa to a Spouse Visa of a Japanese National: General rules and exceptions
How to change from a student/work visa to a spouse visa
My spouse visa application was denied (COE not issued). Can I re-apply?