Becoming A Japanese Citizen

[C69]

Wikipedia makes it sound next to impossible, so I'm wondering --- is it really that hard? And what all specific requirements do you have to meet in order to become a citizen (outside of the obvious requirement of speaking the language)? Also, is there anything that can prevent you from becoming a citizen?

Would discrimination be high when it comes to getting a job? I'm white... would it be very likely that a Japanese man would be picked over me even if I am a citizen?

Finally, would an American college degree be worth anything in Japan? My parents have refused to help me financially in my quest to move to Japan, so if I have to go to college in Japan, I would have to fund that myself... which would be hard... and it's hard to get into Japanese colleges in the first place, right? It would be easier to go to school in America, despite how much I hate and want to get out of here, solely because I would have my parents to back me up.

Thanks for any answers, and if there's anything else that you think I need to know about moving/living in Japan, feel free to let me know....

Also, yay, first post. :goodboy:

 

[seiya1]

from what ive read japan colleges are more difficult to get into, and the social structure in the country makes it difficult for one to move from one "social rank" to the next (i.e. not as easy to get into and get financed while in college compared to US).

also, discrimination or disdain (for you) is a given.they are a proud people after all. if/when I travel there it will not be to be accepted, more to enjoy myself (and their women) without caring what they think.

I like many others plan to travel to japan, myself after graduating from university.

But becoming a CITIZEN?

Fuck that....

 

[aquamarine]

Become a citizen:

1) Were you born in Japan to one or more Japanese citizen parents?
2) Were you born in Japan to one or more Japanese citizen parents?
3) Were you born in Japan to one or more Japanese citizen parents?

If you answered 'no' to any one of these, then no, you can not become a Japanese citizen. You can get a work visa, a travel visa, a spousal visa, but that's it. Even if you get married to a Japanese citizen, have TEN children and 'think' you own a car and a business (which legally you don't - both must be owned by a Japanese citizen), then still no.

is it really that hard?

Yes, yes it really is.

And what all specific requirements do you have to meet in order to become a citizen (outside of the obvious requirement of speaking the language)?

Sorry buck-rogers, speaking Japanese has dick-all to do with becoming a Japanese citizen. If your parents aren't Japanese, then neither are you. Your children CAN be Japanese, if you marry a Japanese citizen. But you have as much chance of becoming a "Japanese citizen" as I do of being r***ing by Godzilla.

Also, is there anything that can prevent you from becoming a citizen?

You can be born to parents that aren't Japanese. That works pretty well in preventing you.

Would discrimination be high when it comes to getting a job? I'm white...

1) What kind of education do you have?
2) What kind of degree do/will you have
3) What kind of work do you expect?
Are you thinking you can walk into Japan with no sponsor, no work visa and subsequently no knowledge of the Japanese people or culture, and get a high-paying head-hunter/CEO job? HA! Not going to happy, Canyon Man. If you can speak Japanese and have a better resumé than the OTHER guy applying for the same job and have more experience in a certain field than the other guy, then it's just as likely that you'll get the job as anyone else with your qualifications over someone who isn't qualified.

Basically: Are you qualified for a job? Yes? Then you probably will get it if you are more qualified than the last guy.

If a man from Greece moves to Florida and can speak "Hello" and "My name is Ishmael" but no other English, do you think anyone other than basic labor jobs will hire him? Seriously?

Finally, would an American college degree be worth anything in Japan?

If your university/college is recognized by the Japanese government, then your degree is as good as any other. But don't kid yourself while beating off at mom and dads house... if you do not have a company in Japan willing to sponsor you, then you ain't getting in with a work visa.

My parents have refused to help me financially in my quest to move to Japan

Smart move on their behalf.

...and it's hard to get into Japanese colleges in the first place, right?

Yes, very.

It would be easier to go to school in America, despite how much I hate and want to get out of here, solely because I would have my parents to back me up.

Why not stay in America? Move to another location? If you think that moving to Japan will solve all of your woes and make you 'supa-sta white boy!' then you're mistaken unless you REALLY REALLY REALLY want to contract gonorrhea and chlamydia from a Yomamnba who'll spread her legs for any American and is already carrying 'the drip' from her last Nigerian escapade from yesterday.

Thanks for any answers, and if there's anything else that you think I need to know about moving/living in Japan, feel free to let me know....

Stay in America. You'll do more good there than you would here with your current education and lack of knowledge. Hell, you came to a cartoon porn website to ask for questions on moving to Japan... that says a LOT to me. Not that there's anything wrong with this site, it simply shows me that you aren't really serious. Why do I think this?

1) You said you WOULD NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE in the USA....
So you haven't already?
2) You RELY ON YOUR PARENTS...
Are you 15? Christ... I had to pay my entire tuition myself when I went to college.
3) I'm going to say this in the nicest possible method... GROW UP AND GROW A PAIR. I say this because from what you have mentioned, I get the distinct impression that you are under the legal age (can not vote, buy cigarettes or drink) and have no life experience. That is the LAST thing that I want to see more of in Japan.

There you go. No sugar coating. Just fact after cold hard and dream-destroying fact.

As a final render of this vat of disgust, I want to know one thing...
Why do you want to come to Japan so badly? Do you REALLY REALLY REALLY like anime and cosplay girls?

 

[buttcheeks]

It's not impossible. You have to give up your US citizenship, though. Do you really want to do that?
Best story about becoming a J citizen is David's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debito_Arudou
http://www.debito.org/

Worth reading it all to get the full dose of Japan's lack of "enthuasism" towards new citizens.

 

[Sakunyuusha]

As a final render of this vat of disgust, I want to know one thing...
Why do you want to come to Japan so badly? Do you REALLY REALLY REALLY like anime and cosplay girls?

Actually, I'm curious myself why you first wanted to go to Japan and what if anything has changed since then to keep you in Japan and whether you'd say you're bitter or thrilled or indifferent about being in Japan as opposed to Canada.

When you think about it, most people leave their home countries because:
1) they want a better life than what they have now, and
2) they're hopeful that this new country can provide that.

I think your ridicule of this common motivation for human migration is wise, quite frankly, but ... I dunno, I also feel like there's not much point in ridiculing it because it forms THE main purpose of expatriating for 90%+ of people who leave one peaceful, prosperous country for another. (Arbitrary number, of course.)

 

[aquamarine]

I was bored with Canada. My buddy who worked for an I.T. company got me drunk and made me promise to move.

If the O.P. wants a better life (fuck... he's in the USA for god's sake) then he should move to California.

 

[Sakunyuusha]

You say that like it's No Contest. I would love to move to California (lived in SoCal for one year after high school, loved it) but California's fucking expensive and the best places to live are also either really polluted (like L.A., where you lose 1 year off your life for every 5 you spend there, they say) or really expensive (like the wine country).

 

[sergeidragunov]

Mr. Aquaman is a cold man indeed.

\/ no offense Aquaman \/!

Why not just work on Japan. In the long run, you will be accepted in their society eventually.

I don't think the Japanese will discriminate you. they are good people, except those assholes (yakuza)


Even though you'll become a Japanese citizen, your look wont change.

Why aquaman likes to shatter the dreams of north american boys? do you have grudge against them?

Ah I know! maybe you love to have a japanese girlfriend eh? well that' good indeed.

 

[aquamarine]

You say that like it's No Contest. I would love to move to California (lived in SoCal for one year after high school, loved it) but California's fucking expensive and the best places to live are also either really polluted (like L.A., where you lose 1 year off your life for every 5 you spend there, they say) or really expensive (like the wine country).

Well bud, it's a hell of a lot easier to move from one state to another state than it is for a boy who has very little life experience (judging by the original posters information he's given us) to move to a country that he obviously knows nothing about.

If I was a yankee and living in Minnesota, I could easily pack up and move to California. It's expensive? So is Japan. It's dirty? Japan's smelly. Lose 1 year off my life, etc? Well by the amount of work he'd need to do to, the stress alone would kill him. The only reason the Japanese are living so long (other than the fact they eat a hell of a lot healthier than most North Americans) is because over the years and years and years, they have acclimated to the amount they over-work themselves.

Don't forget: Americans work to live. Japanese live to work.

Let us ALSO not forget the general work-ethic of Japanese is 180 degrees different from that of any in North America.

America: Let's go stand around the water cooler, talk about last nights episode of The Shield, then take an extra long poop to get out of doing some boring work we need to do. This is what economists call negative economic production, which runs rampant in North America.

Japan: Let's go to work, sit in our cubicle and work hard for our family. Boy I'm glad to be here, it's hard work, but I'm proud of what I do! Someone insults my company? They insult my lifestyle!

 

[sergeidragunov]

Don't forget: Americans work to live. Japanese live to work.




Let us ALSO not forget the general work-ethic of Japanese is 180 degrees different from that of any in North America.

LOL! it's like you said americans eat to live(which is true and practical) and Japanese live to eat hahahahhaha! LOLiSH!

 

[aquamarine]

Well that's certainly one way of saying it y'know. It's certainly not meant to be an insult, but it's how things are. However I will say that it's less now in Japan than it used to be.

10 years ago, ask any Japanese on the street "Do you enjoy your job?" "Yes! Is good!" Now... not as much. Plus the Japanese TYPICALLY don't complain about work at the end of the day. They'll just endure it. Talk to any Canadian or USA'ian and you'll see what I mean. "At the end of the day, are you content?" "FUCK NO! I hate my job! God damn office work..."

 

[jupiter999]

It's very difficult to find a job in Japan, not to mention live there forever and becoming a citizen...
Well, I guess...

 

[Majime]

Aquamarine i'm sorry to tell you that you don't know what you're talking about, please don't say such things when you're not even sure.
One of my friends works in Tokyo, he's from Marocco, and he's not married. after 7 years in Japan he asked for Japanese citizenship and passport and he got both of them without even being married with a japanese nor having any japanese familly member.

The question is Why do c69 whant that hard to become japanese without knowing anything from Japan. the answer is simple, like most of teenagers c69 has a false vision of that country, Japan is not like in Mangas, it's not disneyland!!
i've heard so many people talking about Japan without any clue. A french guy i met in Tokyo told me that foreigners can't make real japanese friends.
Well I live in Japan since 2005 and all my friends exept two are Japanese, they helped me when i needed not like most of foreigners there who just want to show that they live in Japan and pick up girls.
so i don't whant to discourage you c69 but i think you need to really think of what you're going to do in Japan and if that's what you really seek. Japan is no more an eldorado these days you know.

 

[sergeidragunov]

Aquamarine i'm sorry to tell you that you don't know what you're talking about, please don't say such things when you're not even sure.

One of my friends works in Tokyo, he's from Marocco, and he's not married. after 7 years in Japan he asked for Japanese citizenship and passport and he got both of them without even being married with a japanese nor having any japanese familly member.

Wow he is a lucky man! what's his profession in Japan?! I want to know!

Japan is not like in Mangas, it's not disneyland!!

Is life also hard in Japan?!

Japan is no more an eldorado these days you know.

YOu mean to say Japan is like Eldorado like 5 years ago or so?! but now Japan is different?!

Is the shifting of Japan from eldorado to not-so eldorado these days
have something to do with the global finanial crisis?!

 

[aquamarine]

Aquamarine i'm sorry to tell you that you don't know what you're talking about, please don't say such things when you're not even sure.

You must be 100% correct. Boy, how dumb I must be to even THINK that I have a single inkling of any idea.

Your 'friend' sounds like he was awfully lucky. I too have many friends and acquaintances, one having been married for 14 years, living in Japan for nearly 20 and has not have the privilege of having the option to get his passport. I guess if you're from Morocco, things must be different, wouldn't you say? So, by what YOU say through your ONE friend, it is easy as pie to just go there, sit and wait, then receive a Japanese passport. Sorry buddy, I dislike your story and find it unbelievable unless your friend is doing something outrageously important.

Not married to a Japanese citizen...
Having lived in Japan only seven years...
Was given a Japanese passport with no troubles?
No Japanese family?
Sorry, I don't believe that story at all. Prove me wrong though, will ya?


So if this IS true, allow me to backtrack and eat some of my own words.... Original Poster: it is apparently easy as pie to become a LEGAL CITIZEN of Japan. So you will call yourself Japanese, not American, as you may have been born in the USA, but are certainly no longer legally considered as one. You still do not have a degree (as you mentioned you "would need to" go to school in the USA, and by this wording suggests you have not thus done so).


Majime: Where are you from? I'm curious. You live in Shinjuku, I'm there semi-often to look at new lenses in the Nikon 2nd hand shop in the South-West corner of Shinjuku. Do you know the shop? It's fairly prominent.

I must agree with Majime, Japan is not like the cartoons that you read. It is not like Disneyland... even though there is Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea (much better park, in my opinion). I've also heard many people talk about Japan and this and that, even though they have never been and seem to think that simply because they read the latest issue of Ranma 1/2, they know how Japan works. Wrong.

Majime's French buddy who said that foreigners cannot make real Japanese friends is a fucking idiot. I have nothing against the French, but that guy is retarded. Perhaps his own personality prohibits him from making any friends. Who knows, perhaps he has 'stickupthere' syndrome (Stuck Up Cunt). For many foreigners that are here, that is quite possible. I have noticed many people who's attitudes and personalities 'back home' would be considered outcasts and would be the kind of person to do nothing on a weekend evening but sit around playing D&D in their 35-year old friend's parents' house, yet they come to Japan and simply because they are foreign, their ego inflates (more than even mine) and they seem to think they are superstars. THEY ARE NOT. I AM NOT EITHER. Let's get that straight.

Unlike Majime, I do want to discourage many people from coming here. I get annoyed with the types that come here JUST to buy fucking cartoon porn like "Kat" (see my Works Japanese Experience thread) and other hopefuls that think they will somehow become 'the last white Samurai'.

Japan is fun, it's difficult, it's fucking annoying, it smells bad, it's hot, it's humid, it's entertaining at times, it's aggravating, it's enjoyable but most of all, it's home.

 

[sergeidragunov]

Japan is fun, it's difficult, it's fucking annoying, it smells bad, it's hot, it's humid, it's entertaining at times, it's aggravating, it's enjoyable but most of all, it's home.

You call Japan your HOME?! you are Canadian, Canada is your HOME! but then again maybe you feel much HOME in Japan compared to Canada.

It smells bad? why? what is there that make Japan smell bad?!

It's HOT,yes I heard news here that Tokyo has reached 39 degrees celsius.
My! My! that is awfully hot! I will melt if I go there!

I will still go to Japan despite these facts as said by aquaman. I may not go to work and live there BUT I will tour Japan. Hokkaido, yes I will go there. I like winter. Winter make me feel at home.

Majime is from shinjuku and aquaman semi-frequents there. Then the two of you should meet up!

 

[aquamarine]

You call Japan your HOME?! you are Canadian, Canada is your HOME! but then again maybe you feel much HOME in Japan compared to Canada.

I consider it more of a home than Canada. Canada is fine and all, but I make a hell of a lot more money here with one degree than I would with three degrees, even if I had a govnerment job back in Saskatoon. Fuck that.

Japan smells bad in the summer, in SOME parts of Japan. Since I've been scolded by Majime about over-generalizing things, I will say SOME parts of Japan smell bad. Okinawa can have a bad odor, Shibuya STINKS in the daytime in summer, Shinjuku smells like sewage (although not as bad as Shibuya), and getting shoulder to shoulder with all of the 'sararymans' (Salary-Men) can get pretty smelly as well.

If you come to Japan, I suggest you do so in July and August. Those are the worst two months, but then you can see how bad it can be, and know that things can only get better. If a person is SERIOUS about coming to Japan, then no problem, but if they are only half-assing it and 'maybe because I want a Japanese girlfriend' etc etc, then I discourage them as much as possible.

Majime is from shinjuku and aquaman semi-frequents there. Then the two of you should meet up!

Not where he lives now, where he is FROM originally since he arrived a year after me, I can only assume he isn't 13 years old

 

[sergeidragunov]

What is your Job in Japan anyway? Yes, I know you make a lot of money.You are an air soft player. Air soft is an expensive sport! only for the richies!


Are you an IT professional or someone that works in the embassy?, a graduate of international studies I think.

 

[aquamarine]

lol no no, just a meager little business owner with a 'branch' in Japan, (one of the) only way a non-Japanese can own a business here.

As for airsoft being for the rich, not in Japan, guns are SO cheap compared to back in Canada.

Let's compare (I'll just use Japanese yen for the sake of ease).
M4A1 in Canada: 55,000 yen.
M4A1 in Japan: 22,000 yen.

PSG-1 in Canada: 80,000 yen
PSG-1 in Japan: 31,000 yen (as sold by the hobby/model shop in Tama Plaza)

VERY cheap.

 

[cattz]

Sniff, I love aquamarine, and wish most all the posts in this thread would be a mandatory read to anyone who talks about the "I want a japanese girlfriend!!" or "So cool, I wanna live there!" type comments.

Doesn't get enough credit/justice, lol..