For foreign nationals who have been living in Japan for a long time, Permanent Residence and Naturalization are two possible options for their future.

Both systems are related to living in Japan for the long term, but they have very different meanings.

Simply put:

Permanent Residence

→ Continue to live in Japan indefinitely while keeping your foreign nationality

Naturalization

→ Acquire Japanese nationality and become a Japanese citizen

These are the main differences.

1. What Is Permanent Residence?

Permanent Residence is a system that allows a foreign national to continue living in Japan indefinitely while maintaining their existing nationality.

A Permanent Resident does not have a fixed period of stay like many other statuses of residence.

In addition, employment activities are generally not restricted by the type of work, unlike statuses of residence that limit the activities a foreign national may engage in.

Therefore, obtaining permanent residence significantly reduces the restrictions related to status of residence when living in Japan.

However, becoming a Permanent Resident does not mean acquiring Japanese nationality.

The person remains a citizen of their original country and is not treated as a Japanese citizen.

2. What Is Naturalization?

Naturalization is a system through which a foreign national acquires Japanese nationality.

When naturalization is approved, the person acquires Japanese nationality and becomes a Japanese citizen.

Unlike Permanent Residence, naturalization is not a procedure for obtaining a status of residence that simply allows a foreign national to continue living in Japan for a long period.

It is a procedure for acquiring Japanese nationality rather than continuing to live in Japan as a foreign national.

Applications for naturalization are not handled by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. In principle, they are made at the Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence.

3. The Major Difference Between Permanent Residence and Naturalization

The most important difference between the two is whether the person’s nationality changes.

With Permanent Residence, the foreign national remains a foreign citizen while continuing to live in Japan.

With Naturalization, the person acquires Japanese nationality.

In other words:

Permanent Residence

→ Continue living in Japan as a foreign national

Naturalization

→ Acquire Japanese nationality and become a Japanese citizen

This is the fundamental difference.

4. Are Permanent Residents the Same as Japanese Citizens?

Permanent Residents can have a very stable life in Japan.

However, even a Permanent Resident does not become a Japanese citizen.

For example, Permanent Residents are not granted all of the rights that are granted to Japanese citizens, such as the right to vote in national elections.

Therefore,

being able to live in Japan long-term

and

holding Japanese nationality

are two different matters.

5. What Changes After Naturalization?

When naturalization is approved and a person acquires Japanese nationality, the person is treated as a Japanese citizen.

As a result, the person no longer needs a status of residence in order to stay in Japan as a foreign national.

The person also acquires the rights and obligations that apply to Japanese citizens.

At the same time, naturalization is not simply a change of status of residence. It is an important decision concerning nationality itself.

For a foreign national, this may involve considering their current nationality, relationship with their country of origin, family relationships, and other personal circumstances.

6. Which Is Better for a Foreign National: Permanent Residence or Naturalization?

This depends on the individual.

A person who wants to live a stable life in Japan but wishes to maintain their current nationality may choose Permanent Residence as an important long-term goal.

On the other hand, a person who considers Japan the center of their life and wishes to acquire Japanese nationality and live as a Japanese citizen in the future may consider Naturalization.

Nationality can be closely connected to a person’s identity and family relationships. Therefore, Naturalization should not simply be considered “better” than Permanent Residence.

7. Can a Permanent Resident Immediately Obtain Naturalization?

Obtaining Permanent Residence does not mean that Naturalization will automatically be approved.

Permanent Residence and Naturalization are separate systems, and Naturalization has its own requirements.

Therefore, even if a Permanent Resident wishes to become a Japanese citizen, they must submit a separate application for Naturalization and undergo the required examination.

However, many Permanent Residents have already lived in Japan for a long time and may have an established life and living base in Japan. Such circumstances may be relevant when considering Naturalization.

8. Which Should You Choose?

For foreign nationals living in Japan, Permanent Residence and Naturalization are important options to consider when planning their future.

For example:

“I want to live in Japan for a long time, but I want to keep my current nationality.”

For such a person, Permanent Residence may be an important goal.

On the other hand:

“From now on, I want to live as a Japanese citizen.”

For such a person, Naturalization may be an option.

Which option is appropriate depends on the person’s nationality, family relationships, living circumstances in Japan, future plans, and other individual factors.

Summary

Permanent Residence and Naturalization are both important systems for foreign nationals who wish to live in Japan for the long term, but they have very different meanings.

Permanent Residence

→ Continue to live in Japan indefinitely while keeping your foreign nationality

Naturalization

→ Acquire Japanese nationality and become a Japanese citizen

Obtaining Permanent Residence does not mean that a person has acquired Japanese nationality.

In addition, even if a person is a Permanent Resident, Naturalization is not automatically approved. A separate application and examination are required.

For foreign nationals who have been living in Japan for a long time, an important point in understanding the difference between Permanent Residence and Naturalization is to consider:

“Do I want to continue living in Japan?”

or

“Do I want to become a Japanese citizen?”

These two questions can help explain the fundamental difference between Permanent Residence and Naturalization.

【１　Types of Status of Residence in Japan】

【３　Main Residence and Immigration Applications in Japan】

【９　Submitting Immigration Applications on Behalf of Foreign Nationals in Japan】