Permanent Residency vs. Naturalization in Japan: What's the Difference?

Permanent Residency or Naturalization in Japan: Which Should You Choose?

If you’re living in Japan long-term, you may wonder whether to apply for permanent residency or to pursue naturalization. They may look similar—both let you stay in Japan without renewing your visa—but the legal consequences are quite different.

Permanent residency allows you to stay in Japan as a foreign national under a "Permanent Resident" visa. Your nationality does not change, and you keep your residence card. In contrast, naturalization means becoming a Japanese citizen. You must give up your current nationality, and you receive a Japanese family register instead.

The application process also differs. Permanent residency usually requires 10 years of residence, stable income, and a clean tax record. Naturalization also needs years of residence, but the number of required documents is much larger—sometimes over 100 pages—and includes interviews and detailed screening.

Which is better? If you wish to keep your current nationality but live in Japan long-term, permanent residency may be suitable. If you see Japan as your permanent home and want full legal rights as a citizen, naturalization may be the right path.

As a Gyoseishoshi (immigration lawyer) in Osaka, I help many clients explore both options. Choose based on your goals, not just the difficulty.

More info: https://office-ishinagi.com/en/