Japan's policy forcing citizens to choose one nationality by age 22 is pushing Japanese nationals to seek residency in other countries.
Japan's long-standing dual citizenship ban—which requires Japanese nationals to renounce one citizenship by age 22—is fueling a quiet surge in overseas residency programs. Japanese citizens facing this deadline are increasingly exploring investor residency, retirement visas, and other pathways to establish legal status abroad before making their citizenship choice.
If you're a Japanese national with ties to another country, you now have a practical reason to lock in residency elsewhere. Programs in Portugal, Malta, Greece, and other nations offer relatively straightforward paths to legal residence, giving you options before Japan's deadline forces your hand. Some programs allow you to maintain residency status while you work through the citizenship decision.
Japan's citizenship deadline is pushing nationals to secure residency abroad.
The timing matters. Securing residency in another country before age 22 gives Japanese nationals flexibility and breathing room. If this applies to you or your family, consult an immigration advisor familiar with both Japanese law and the residency programs you're considering. Many countries' programs have income or investment thresholds, so plan ahead.
Source: original report ↗
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