Should I Change My Name?

[zeroshiki]

@kuma, Thanks so much for such a detailed reply. There's an awful lot involved, eh? My initial reaction to seeing the possible steps laid out like that is to give up the idea.

I think it's probably best for me to accept that registration trouble is inevitable, but not an impenetrable wall - it just takes some patience, time and extra work. And it's not forever. It'll resolve itself in 30 to 40 years, and I've ensured the problem isn't passed down to my son, who has his mum's surname and no middle name.

And then there's always the option of naturalization of course. I wonder, would it better to take Japanese citizenship *after* both parents are gone and any inheritance received, or before?

If you're worried about tax implications I think it doesn't matter that much since you're technically a Japanese resident for tax purposes so it will happen either way. With regards to paperwork, its much better to not have the inheritance yet for naturalization since you'll have to write it down in your application and they might also ask you to show proof of ownership which is an added hassle for you.

[RetireJapan]

its much better to not have the inheritance yet for naturalization since you'll have to write it down in your application and they might also ask you to show proof of ownership which is an added hassle for you.

Is there a submission of assets procedure to naturalise? Wasn't aware of it (I got all the paperwork together in 2011 but didn't end up submitting it).

[kuma]

Might print this out and see if I can get it processed (immigration office is just down the road).

Although I suspect this is for people whose names are in kanji originally (Chinese, etc.).

Suspect the same, but good luck if you try anyway. Official kanji alias might swing it?

[nickr]

If you're worried about tax implications I think it doesn't matter that much since you're technically a Japanese resident for tax purposes so it will happen either way. With regards to paperwork, its much better to not have the inheritance yet for naturalization since you'll have to write it down in your application and they might also ask you to show proof of ownership which is an added hassle for you.

Good to know, thanks.

[zeroshiki]

its much better to not have the inheritance yet for naturalization since you'll have to write it down in your application and they might also ask you to show proof of ownership which is an added hassle for you.

Is there a submission of assets procedure to naturalise? Wasn't aware of it (I got all the paperwork together in 2011 but didn't end up submitting it).

Yeah, there's a section where they ask you to list down all your assets (even foreign assets) and then depending on the case worker, they might ask you for proof for the foreign ones (domestic ones they definitely will)

[SARS]

My full name is very long with multiple parts and I haven't had any significant issues with bank applications, loans, credit cards, driving licences etc.

Only minor inconvenience was having to go to an Aeon Bank branch because they couldn't process my name online.

I'm surprised other people are having such difficulties.

[Stuart]

I have the same problem. Different accounts with variations of my name. It is a constant issue. There have been two things that I recently found that might be helpful.
Most major banks now ask that the account name is in the same order as your name appears on your residence card. The first account that I ever opened in Japan (in 1986) was with my first name, middle name and family name. In the process of opening it, my middle name was misspelled! This has been a constant headache. About 10 years ago I opened an account with Mizuho: Family name, first name, middle name as per the residence card. I recently had to show the Mizuho bank book at the bank I have been using since 1986. To my surprise, the person at the bank said I think we should change the order of your name. This means that banks are willing to change account names.

The second issue that I had was with the order of my name for the Japanese pension. Back in the day, I chose first name, family name. When it came to receiving pension payments to my Mizuho account there was a name problem. Solving this took ages and lots of visits to the bank. Finally, a member of staff at Mizuho said that it was possible to transfer money to my account by listing my other names. In other words, this a declaration that this person is also known by the following names. To my surprise this worked, but it took a long time to get there. At one point, I was considering going down the line of changing the name on my pension. Apparently this system is used by people who change their name through marriage and for other reasons and still need to receive money in the previous name. For example, royalties and other such things. There are also other reasons. I would add that the bank did not readily inform me of this service. It took a visit from my adult son to make any progress at all. I use a branch in central Tokyo. It calls itself Tokyo 2020 Gold Banking Partner.
Perhaps Retire Japan might put out an ebook on the perils of getting your name wrong and how to avoid a lifetime of terrible issues.

[zeroshiki]

I had a family member move to Japan recently and I made sure they did their name in any kind of document to be Family Name First Name Middle Name with no space in between First Name and Middle Name. Its been smooth sailing so far.

[kuma]

Straying from the original question but staying on the name change theme, what happens in the below case:

Foreigner marries a Japanese national; husband and wife keep their original surnames
More than 6 months passes since marriage registration
Foreigner naturalises as Japanese

Does Article 750 of the Civil Code then kick in, forcing the married couple to have the same surname? And is that a major faff if not done within six months of the marriage registration, as the name change has to be done through the courts?

Not going to be relevant for me as my wife took my surname on marriage. Just curious about these things.

[beanhead]

Perhaps Retire Japan might put out an ebook on the perils of getting your name wrong and how to avoid a lifetime of terrible issues.

sure to be a best-seller.