Applying for citizenship

[KCLenny]

Hi all, don’t know if this is the best place for this.
I want to apply for citizenship. I’ve lived in Japan for 5 consecutive years (7 in total). My wife (English) and I (English) have made our lives here. We have no desire of moving back to the uk at all (I’ve been back once for 1 week in the last 5 years, and that just cemented my decision).

I think it’s probably a good idea to get an immigration lawyer to help. But I don’t know where to even begin looking for one or what to look out for to make sure I’m getting a good one.
As well as that, that can anyone give me a push in the right direction more generally? The official gov websites are quite vague as to “necessary documents”.
I’ve kept basically everything over the last 5 years so can definitely get stuff easily if requested plus whatever else is needed from the ward office.
Thanks in advance.

[adamu]

I'll just share the wiki link that already contains everything I have to say

https://retirewiki.jp/wiki/Naturalisation

And add that the official link does say to consult with the Legal Affairs Bureau before applying - so that might be a good first step.

[Yossarian]

Related question: does giving up British citizenship when taking Japanese make you ineligible to voluntarily pay into UK pension?

[adamu]

Related question: does giving up British citizenship when taking Japanese make you ineligible to voluntarily pay into UK pension?

No.

[Yossarian]

Sweet as

[beanhead]

Just curious, but why citizenship rather than PR?
And is your Japanese close to native level?

I have been here since the 90s, have PR, and have never seen any huge benefit to getting citizenship.
I also don't want to give up my UK citizenship. Love it or hate it (sometimes both), I am still British.

[RetireJapan]

Just curious, but why citizenship rather than PR?
And is your Japanese close to native level?

I have been here since the 90s, have PR, and have never seen any huge benefit to getting citizenship.
I also don't want to give up my UK citizenship. Love it or hate it (sometimes both), I am still British.

Not the OP, but am probably going to apply for Japanese citizenship soon. I agree that there is no real pressing reason if you have PR already and citizenship of a country with a strong passport.

Extra benefits (IMO): can vote. Can run for office (don't think I want to do this, but have thought about it). Have the right to remain in Japan (or return here) whatever else happens. No longer a foreign resident, so don't have to do all the little niggling trivial things that annoy me any more.

Basically I have lived here all my adult life, can't imagine living anywhere else, and want to tie the knot. Don't feel British, especially after Brexit, and have very few ties to it.

Only thing stopping me is the curse of needing a plan B, C, D, etc.

[david]

Just curious, but why citizenship rather than PR?
And is your Japanese close to native level?

I have been here since the 90s, have PR, and have never seen any huge benefit to getting citizenship.
I also don't want to give up my UK citizenship. Love it or hate it (sometimes both), I am still British.

Not the OP, but am probably going to apply for Japanese citizenship soon. I agree that there is no real pressing reason if you have PR already and citizenship of a country with a strong passport.

Random thought, Im also from the UK and paying into the UK pension, does giving up UK citizenship affect collecting the UK pension?

[Yossarian]

No. I asked the same question a couple of comments above yours

[KCLenny]

Just curious, but why citizenship rather than PR?
And is your Japanese close to native level?

I have been here since the 90s, have PR, and have never seen any huge benefit to getting citizenship.
I also don't want to give up my UK citizenship. Love it or hate it (sometimes both), I am still British.

Not the OP, but am probably going to apply for Japanese citizenship soon. I agree that there is no real pressing reason if you have PR already and citizenship of a country with a strong passport.

Extra benefits (IMO): can vote. Can run for office (don't think I want to do this, but have thought about it). Have the right to remain in Japan (or return here) whatever else happens. No longer a foreign resident, so don't have to do all the little niggling trivial things that annoy me any more.

Basically I have lived here all my adult life, can't imagine living anywhere else, and want to tie the knot. Don't feel British, especially after Brexit, and have very few ties to it.

Only thing stopping me is the curse of needing a plan B, C, D, etc.

Yeah basically this. I don’t want the looming stress of Japan reserving the right to just take my visa away depending on the current government of the day.
I have no desire or need to go back to the uk.
Citizenship makes more sense than PR. Personally I’ve always found it quite half hearted to bother with PR. It’s just long term foreign resident.
I don’t want to be that. I want to be an actual citizen. And I don’t want all the BS of being a foreign resident.

My Japanese is not native. And I was under the impression that you had to have something like a 10 year olds’ Japanese level? Is that correct?
(Currently about to start taking up lessons again with a private teacher.