What happens when national identity clashes with global opportunity? Something out of the blue unfolded in Japan recently. The debate around Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law is a legal issue, a deeply concerning one at that.
In a world where careers, families, and education stretch across borders, Japan’s strict no dual citizenship policy has left many questioning what it truly means to belong. At the centre of this debate lies one woman’s story: a Japanese-born citizen who lost her nationality after gaining Canadian citizenship. Her experience has reignited a national conversation about Japanese citizenship rights, freedom, and identity in a global era.
Does Japan allow dual citizenship? Short answer: No.
Let’s explore how Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law shapes lives, challenges tradition, and tests how far modern Japan is willing to go to adapt to global realities.
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The Citizenship Question Japan Can’t Ignore: When Losing Citizenship Feels Like Losing Home
Imagine discovering that the passport you’ve held since birth no longer belongs to you. That’s what happened to a 60-year-old woman from Tokyo who learned she had lost her Japanese citizenship after becoming a Canadian citizen.
Her story began with love and opportunity but ended with bureaucracy and heartbreak. When she tried to return to Japan to care for her ill father, she found herself stripped of her nationality. It wasn’t a punishment. It was the automatic effect of Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law under the current Japanese nationality law.
Her story represents thousands who’ve faced a similar reality.
Is Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law Too Rigid for Today’s World?
On September 30, the Osaka District Court delivered a verdict dismissing a lawsuit brought by the woman who lost her Japanese nationality after acquiring Canadian citizenship. Her team argued that Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law violates the constitution and limits Japanese citizenship rights, but the court disagreed.
The court upheld the law, affirming that the loss of nationality upon gaining foreign citizenship is constitutional. For Japan, this decision wasn’t just about one person. It was about maintaining its long-standing no dual citizenship policy.
Afterwards, the plaintiff said she wouldn’t appeal but criticised the system’s lack of empathy, stating, “The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, yet our court system seems detached from human rights and modern realities.”
Why Did Japan Create Such a Strict No Dual Citizenship Policy?
The woman was born and raised in Tokyo before marrying a Canadian national in 2008. That marriage led her to acquire Canadian citizenship, unaware that under Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law, her Japanese citizenship would automatically be revoked.
Her discovery came when she visited the Japanese consulate in 2018 and learned she was no longer recognised as a Japanese citizen. This revelation shattered her understanding of nationality and belonging.
Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law was originally designed to maintain clear lines of loyalty and prevent legal complications. But in today’s global world, that clarity often comes at the cost of emotional and cultural disconnection.
How Does Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law Affect People’s Lives?
Since losing her Japanese nationality, she has been living in Japan under a residency visa as a Canadian national. She works at a university in Kyoto but feels disconnected from her homeland. The practical effects are severe. No Japanese passport, limited mobility, and a constant feeling of being foreign in her birthplace.
She took legal action in 2022, arguing that Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law strips individuals of autonomy and dignity. Her legal team emphasised that it infringes on Japanese citizenship rights, particularly the right to choose one’s nationality freely.
The Japanese government defended the law, stating it aims to avoid dual obligations like taxes or military service. Yet, critics believe that in a modern, connected world, such reasoning feels outdated.
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What Does Japan’s Constitution Say About Nationality Rights?
Her lawyers pointed to Japan’s Constitution, specifically Articles 13 and 22, which guarantee personal freedom and dignity. They argued that Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law violates these principles by automatically removing citizenship without consent.
However, government officials maintained that defining nationality falls within legislative power. They insist Japan must prevent legal confusion abroad and protect national interests.
This constitutional tug-of-war reveals a deeper question: should loyalty to a flag outweigh loyalty to family, culture, and opportunity?
Are More Japanese Citizens Losing Their Nationality Than Before?
Yes. And the numbers are rising!
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that around 580,000 Japanese nationals now live overseas, more than double the figure from 1995. Many acquire foreign citizenship for marriage, study, or work, often unaware they’ll lose their Japanese nationality under Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law.
Between 1982 and 2024, over 36,000 people reported losing Japanese citizenship. In 2022 alone, more than 3,300 people filed loss notifications. The Japanese nationality law has remained largely unchanged since the Meiji era, even as global citizenship norms evolve.
As Professor Atsushi Kondo of Meijo University noted, “Japan is the only G7 nation that still denies dual nationality. This outdated approach risks pushing talent away.”
What Do Experts Think About Japan’s Stance on Dual Nationality?
Legal experts like Maiko Takeuchi, a U.S.-based lawyer, argue that Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law doesn’t align with modern global practices. She points out that 77% of developed nations now recognise dual nationality; Japan stands nearly alone in refusing it.
Takeuchi warns that clinging to Japan’s dual citizenship policy could trigger a “brain drain.” Talented Japanese professionals who seek global opportunities may feel forced to abandon their citizenship entirely.
Her solution? A reform that aligns Japan’s nationality system with global standards while preserving identity and legal clarity.
Could Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law Change in the Future?
Japan’s government remains cautious, emphasising the importance of sovereignty and unity. However, growing global pressure and personal stories like this one are forcing reconsideration.
Policymakers and activists are increasingly calling for a balanced approach, one that respects Japanese citizenship rights while recognising the realities of dual nationality in Japan.
If reformed, Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law could encourage more global engagement, retain Japanese talent, and reflect a society that values both tradition and progress.
What’s Next for Japan’s National Identity?
The Osaka court case isn’t just about the law. It’s about who gets to be Japanese in an interconnected world. As globalisation reshapes identity, Japan faces a defining moment: cling to the past or evolve for the future.
Those affected by Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law continue to advocate for reform, ensuring no one else has to choose between heritage and opportunity. The decision Japan makes next could redefine not only citizenship but also the meaning of belonging in the 21st century.
The World Is Evolving… Is Japan?
The court’s decision may have upheld tradition, but the debate over Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law is far from over. It has sparked a new generation of voices calling for reform, compassion, and modern citizenship that reflects global reality.
If Japan embraces change, it won’t just strengthen its people’s citizenship rights. It’ll open doors for a new kind of belonging that values identity, connection, and opportunity.
FAQs About Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law
What exactly does Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law say?
It states that Japanese nationals automatically lose their citizenship if they voluntarily acquire another nationality. This is part of the broader Japanese nationality law that enforces Japan’s no dual citizenship policy.
Can you hold dual nationality in Japan?
Currently, no. Dual nationality in Japan is not recognised under current legislation. Individuals must choose one nationality before the age of 22 if they are born with two.
Why is Japan against dual citizenship?
Japan’s stance stems from concerns over national loyalty, diplomatic protection, and administrative complexity. Japan’s dual citizenship policy seeks to avoid issues such as tax and military service conflicts.
How many people lose Japanese citizenship each year?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thousands report loss of nationality annually. In 2022, about 3,385 people lost Japanese citizenship due to Japan’s Dual Citizenship Law.
Could Japan change its Dual Citizenship Law soon?
Legal experts and advocates are urging reform, and while the government has yet to act, social pressure and globalisation could eventually push Japan to reconsider its strict stance on dual nationality.
