Should I get a Japanese or American passport to go to Japan?

Question

I'm half American half Japanese, so I could do either. What kind of benefits are there being a Japanese citizen in Japan, versus being an American citizen?

Answer 1

You don't need to get re-entry permits everytime you leave Japan.
When leaving and entering Japan, use a Japanese passport. When leaving and entering the US, use a US passport.

You can have dual citizenship until you are 20 years old. After that, the Japanese government will ask you to choose one or the other. But if you are not in the country, they can't do anything about it.

(By the way, you are NOT half American and half Japanese. You are 100% American and 100% Japanese. Be proud of it.)

Answer 2

Sorry, you can't "do either". If you're an American, you'll need a American passport. Can't have both. You can be half this or that by blood, but not by citizenship. And Japan is very fussy who they give citizenship to. It's very hard to get. I assume you're an American citizen. Citizenship in Japan will take years to get, if at all. I know of a Japanese lady with a Korean husband. And it took him 7 years.There are no benefits being a American citizen. But if you're Japanese, you can vote, buy / rent property,ect with less problems.

Answer 3

I'm not going to repeat what everyone else has been saying..some right some wrong. However....you are not automatically given Japanese citizenship if you are born in Japan. You must have at least one parent that is a Japanese citizen to receive Japanese citizenship. Even then you have to apply for it in some cases. If the mother is a non-Japanese and the father a Japanese but not married it can cause some difficulties.

Answer 4

You can hold dual citizenship out of Japan.
In Japan, you need to choose nationality of Japanese or American by 22 yrs old.
Of course you have to sign the document that you surrender the other nationality.
But the limitation works in Japan only.
If you are out of Japan, you can use American passport as well.
Because Japan government can not controle other country's rule.

Answer 5

if u r below 22 yrs old, u can hold 2 passports ie american n japanese. U need to decide one b4 22 yrs of age. (if USA recognise dual citizenship, chances r u can keep both) If u intend to stay long in Japan, it is only wise to use the Jap passport and u can avoid long Q during entry cos there are different counters for citizen. Oh yeah, u don need re entry visa too. Remember to use jap passport when u leave or enter Japan, and USA when in USA. For other country, u can decide which one is more convinient to you.
Benefits
Tell u only what Japan don have and its weaknesses so u can compare to USA '; Japan is a secular country and spoke Japanese only.Culture is wierd and so sticky that sometimes i find hipocrysm in them due to that. No unemployment benefits, medical /hospital is extremely expensive , well nothing is cheap in Japan and only work no life!
However i knew quite a number of residents here married to American but prefer to bring up their kids here cos Japan is a safer country and of course the kids are bilingual!

Good luck to u in your choice!

Answer 6

Well like someone mentioned before once you hit twenty youre forced to choose. Then you must surrender whichever passport you didnt pick. Either way you cant have dual citizenship in Japan's eyes you can either keep the citizenship or later go through becoming 'naturalized' resident. And of course you know the crap of obtaining USA citizenship so its your choice. But if youre far from turning 20 go ahead and get both then when the time comes you can choose, but yes Embassy check it out first. That kinda stuff is difficult and you shouldnt run around doing whichever especially in this day and age.

Answer 7

If you have dual citizenship then carry both passports when you travel. Enter Japan with the Japanese passport, and use the US passport to go back to the states. That way, you won't have to wait in line as long as the aliens. Just remember, Uncle Sam expects his taxes no matter where you live.

Answer 8

If you were born here in America, then get an American passport. And if you were born in Japan, get a Japanese passport.

And wow, your half Japanese? Thats very interesting and cool. I love the Japanese culture, anime and music. =]

Answer 9

If you were born in the US, you are an American citizen and should apply for a US passport. Depending on Japan's policies, you might be able to apply for dual citizenship in that country. However, if you are a Japanese citizen, you may not apply for dual citizenship with the US.
-MM

Answer 10

If you were born in the United States you are an American and would need a US passport born in Japan you would get a Japanese passport... But you can call the US passport office to be sure.....