How did you become a Japanese citizen? 

If you are born British, even if you are required to give up your UK citizenship to get another citizenship, you can always resume UK citizenship, because the UK disregards foreign requirements.

I had never heard japanese being spoken so fluently.. with a brazilian accent. It sounds so warm and festive.

I always love seeing foreigners switch to Japanese, and how their entire bodylanguage as a whole change with it.

I've never seen a visa immigration firm do a youtube sponsorship before, but this was a really clever way for them to get their word out

I’m not interested in becoming a Japanese citizen, however, I found this video fascinating. The interviewees were really interesting to listen to. Well done, in covering such a complex topic. Congratulations!

It is a pleasure working with you, thank you for visiting Osaka to interview me. Thank you so much for this amazing video! Keep up the fantastic work! 👍😊 Regards from Visa immigration lawyer YUGE OFFICE

00:43 🥋 Martial arts, like Judo, attracted some to Japanese culture and citizenship, feeling closer upon arrival in Japan. 01:28 🛂 The naturalization process to obtain Japanese citizenship typically involves steps from an initial visa to eventual passport acquisition, often after several years. 03:34 🤝 Marriage to a Japanese citizen might influence the naturalization process, impacting inquiries from the government during the citizenship application. 06:41 🗺 Long-term residence and professional career development in Japan were major factors motivating some individuals to pursue Japanese citizenship. 09:55 📚 Learning Japanese involved attending language schools, studying while working, and continuous efforts to improve language proficiency over time. 11:50 🏠 Positive experiences in Japan, such as feeling welcomed and the country's safety and convenience, influenced the desire to settle down and become a Japanese citizen. 12:18 📝 The naturalization process requires five years of residency in Japan, proficiency in Japanese language, and interviews, culminating in a comprehensive examination. 13:11 🤔 Family support, language proficiency, and understanding Japanese culture are crucial elements for those aspiring to become Japanese citizens. 14:21 🌏 Long-term residence doesn't always equate to seeking permanent citizenship; some foreign residents find satisfaction in their work and lifestyle without pursuing citizenship. 15:29 🏢 Visa and residency perks: Obtaining permanent residency in Japan allows unrestricted work, easier housing loans, and even continued living if the spouse is deceased or divorced. 16:18 📝 Residency pros and cons: Advantages include holding a Japanese passport for visa-free travel and the ability to establish full citizenship, but losing original citizenship and limitations in certain situations are drawbacks. 17:00 🌍 Common origins: People seeking Japanese citizenship mainly come from East Asia (Korea, China) and other regions like Brazil, Vietnam, and the Philippines due to economic or safety concerns in their home countries. 18:19 🤔 Naturalization criteria: Fluent Japanese language skills, residing in Japan for at least five years (three if married to a Japanese citizen), and proof of stability through employment are key factors in the naturalization process. 19:11 💼 Consultation and support: Offices like YUGE OFFICE in Osaka offer online consultations, document support, and translation services in various languages to aid in the residency application process in Japan. 20:08 💡 Immigration complexities: Navigating Japan's immigration laws, especially without expertise, can be intricate and nuanced, recommending seeking legal help for smoother processes when dealing with such matters.

I'm also a Japanese naturalised citizen - originally from the US. When I knew I would spend the rest of my life in Japan, it just seemed natural to be a citizen of this country. The process of gathering the paperwork from the United States and my parents was certainly frustrating, and at subsequent interviews they kept requesting new documents that weren't on the original list. This made the preparation stage even longer. After submitting everything I had to wait 17 months before finally being approved. I feel a strong piece of mind knowing that my right to be here is forever protected. Mostly for me though, I didn't want to keep using my original name. No matter how long you have lived here or how perfectly you speak Japanese, when they see the katakana name the treatment is instantly different. This caused me a lot of problems with paperwork and tax forms, etc. Even though I opened accounts in Japanese and submitted everything in Japanese, they would send me manuals and forms the following year in badly translated English. Since my name just blends in now, I no longer have these problems and I feel a lot less stress when dealing with people on the phone or through paperwork. Until they see my face they don't know I was born overseas and I get treated like any other Japanese person, which makes so many processes go more smoothly. It's pretty funny seeing the change in treatment the moment they see my face though. ww

The first guy speaks the most fluent Japanese I have ever heard from non-native speakers!! How did he get that fluent…Amazing.

The Jordanian guy is a natural for learning languages.

I just got naturalized last week, got my koseki tohon today and I saw this video 😮 . How coincidental. I live alone. No Japanese partner, and I knew no one who naturalized in my social circle. Took me almost 2years (mainly because of collecting documents), but it's worth it.Been here in Japan for 6 years before applying for naturalization. I chose an entirely different sounding Japanese name, and I am still trying to get used to being called by my new name, but it's giving me warm fuzzy feelings~

TOKYO GUIDEBOOK takashifromjapan.com/tokyocompleteguide

“If you understand the culture, than it becomes easier to learn the language.” So very true, I always stress this to my students. Reaching an excellent level in a language is impossible without a real interest in one of the cultures which speaks the language.

Takashi-san, you have the most interesting, candid, respectful channel on the Internet. You are doing such a huge service for your country and really for people all around the world, to bring us closer together. Thank you for your excellent interviews and your kind heart.

i can see why your channel is growing so fast! good work again takashi

Takashii-san this was very informative, useful and valuable! Thank you so much for going through the trouble and for putting your time and energy into helping us (foreigners) get better informed about our (naturalizing) options 🙏💝

Takashi, I love your channel man. You are a great interviewer and I love how you let people talk. These people were also crazy interesting(and impressive). Thanks for your content!

Just discovered this awesome channel. As a ‘halfy’ (Irish-Indian) I’ve been closely watching the mixed race interviews. The questions of identity sound very familiar to me and I’ve learned a lot from your wonderful interviewees. Keep up the good work. I’m slowly making my way through your video backlog. Fascinating and eye-opening. Can’t wait to visit Japan.

Amazing video! Thank you so much for this! As someone who is looking to move to Japan in the next 2 years, everything in this video was extremely helpful. Awesome job!

Absolutely amazing to see several people who are not native English speakers speaking English and Japanese fluently as well as their native language...very interesting.

I also got my japanese nationality last year and the process lasted for 7-8 months! The best decision of my life.

This is one of most informative videos to ones who seek residency in Japan, good job

I don't speak Japanese but really enjoy it when you subject your foreign interviewees to a Japanese test 😂

This was so interesting. You did a nice job asking good questions and providing insights to the process.

I don’t mean to be that guy. But this is how migrants in general should be at any other countries. Appreciate and respect the country’s value and culture. Become a positively contributing person to the society.

Excellent content Takashii! Love your channel, keep it up. I am a foreigner considering moving to Japan and your videos are really insightful.

This is one of your best interviews @Takashi! Thank you for including an actual immigration lawyer. Its been a very insightful and encouraging one 💡

Was super happy to see someone from the same place as me at 10:30 ! Thanks for the awesome interviews!

Believe you or not. At morning I watched this video and then went to a beach in Okinawa. There was a beach soccer tournament and I’ve met the guy from your video!!!!😂😂 they actually won the game and I caught the ball from this game 3 times 😂

TAKASHIIII-san, thank you so much for this video. This is really a perfect timing. Thank you so much for your effort on creating this video!

Great interviews. Thank you for sharing. Big fan of your channel.

This is a very informative video showing that there is nothing thats impossible (aside from certain situations) but it shows that there are high barriers. To become a citizen of another country you really have to sit down and commit to studying the language, mannerisms, culture, history, etc which I feel is especially more important for Japanese citizenship compared to, for example, an American citizenship. But for Japan you cannot hold dual citizenship and must give up your current citizenship. That is a very big commitment and I applaud people who are confident enough to take a leap of that level because it is a life changing decision. Very cool video and would be interested to see how natural Japanese citizens feel regarding this topic for insight on the societal opinion and/or changing climate.

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

Takashi’s is a natural interviewer ! His makes people comfortable and let them open up.

I'm so happy you have created this video! This is something I have been thinking of for over a year now but uncertain where to start and what to do. Thank you so much! I look forward to the 2025 Expo!

Your videos always are great with every new interesting topic

This is so informative. Thank you, so much!

AMAZING video!!! So many questions are answered in becoming a citizen of Japan.

Ozu is a true embodiment of it’s how you feel that makes you who you are and not what you look like.

Learning the language and culture is very important if you want to live somewhere permanently. This is a general rule of thumb for every country.

‘If you understand the culture, then it becomes easier to understand the language.’ ❤ this! Couldn’t agree more.. understanding the collective cultures and individuals of the world, building bridges and inclusivity. I found that food, music, dance, sports, hobbies.. the language of interests, does phenomenal things to build human connection. 🌏🌎🌍

Thank you. Your interviews are very informative.

Great to see your channel really taking off

I really love your channel! It would be interesting if you interviewed older people and got there opinions on different subjects.

Thank you Takashii-San This was very interesting and extremely informative. I found it interesting and eye opening to hear the reasons why the people you interviewed became Japanese nationals.

So inspiring, thank you for sharing!

Perfect informative video! Thank you! 🙏

Excellent Interview!!! Your videos hit the mark very often. I really enjoy your shows. Your personality and demeanor is both, inviting and open to all the interviewees, despite the demographic, which is a welcomed truth. I find this fact a most favorable element in your videos. Keep up the great work. Such a joy to watch.

Very interesting video. I have always wanted to visit Japan. I studied Karate for many years, and have had a few Japanese friends over the years. I love Japanese watches and cars, the Japanese are a brilliant people. Cheers from Arizona, USA.

This might be one of the most insightful videos you’ve ever put out. Nice job.

Takashii does the most interesting interviews! I never knew any of this about Japanese citizenship. Such a great channel Takashii!

Thank You so much for this content !

We appreciate your interviews. Keep working hard.

I definitely don't believe that the first guy's speaking ability hasn't improved since moving to Japan. I think he just doesn't realize how much it HAS improved because he was already at a decent level before moving there. I'm sure his vocab has improved significantly and his knowledge of colloquial expressions too, but because these things happen so gradually, he didn't really notice.

Very interesting to know. Thanks for the informative video!

Thank you, this was very informative!

A Jordanian....being interviewed by a Japanese foreigner.....both speaking English. I'm loving the diversity in this world!!! And, the Jordanian impressed me, tremendously, with his Japanese! 👏👏👏 These videos should inspire everyone to want to travel. 💯

the first guy's voice got so cute after he started speaking japanese xD

Thank you so much for this video Takashii san, very helpful and informative.

Very eye opening and interesting video Takashii. Thanks❤

Really useful!!

冒頭でJordanから来た男性が日本語に切り替わった時、いきなり身近な普通の日本人になって驚いた。もし目の前で彼と会話したら、たぶん見た目を忘れるくらい普通に日本人と感じて接すると思う。

this was such a wonderful video, thanks takashi for sharing these stories 😊

Big thanks Takashi san it was exactly what I wanted, so helpful.

Never been to Japan! But I will honestly tell you that I have been around the rest of the world. Watching Takashi's channel has motivated me to come visit Japan in 2024.

I have family living in Japan (with PR) and I just want to come back to visit soon. I've been slowly studying Japanese and am surprised at how many words I could understand. It gives me hope! This was a very interesting episode, thanks!

Takashii I happened across your channel by accident a couple days ago. The first video I watched was about what the Japanese think about the United States I really enjoyed the format and your content. I just wanted to tell you that you have a good channel and very good content. I subscribed and look forward to future videos.

This was a really great video! I like the longer microphone,too!

As someone who is in the process of immigrating to NZ, GET AND IMMIGRATION LAWYER!!! No matter where you are relocating an immigration lawyer makes the process go so much more smoothly. You may be thinking to yourself that it’s a waste of money but you will waste far more money and time attempting it on your own. Most people that try to apply themselves get denied a number of times before succeeding, if they ever do.

This is a very interesting video, especially from the point of view of the interviewees who are now Japanese citizens. As a lover of all things Japanese, ditching my Kiwi citizenship might be a deal breaker for me. But as I see it, the pros definitely outweigh the cons😊

That was so helpful, thank you so much 👏🤩

You have wonderful content, Takashii. Thank you for sharing it!

Nice interview Takashi san. Keep them quality interviews coming. 👌

What I've noticed that's fairly unique about Japan especially vs Europe is that people who want to live their are more open to embrace Japanese culture and "do as the Romans do" however if immigration becomes more lax it may change.

It is amazing to see, on how well you pick topics which interests the audience. Nice work!

Very interesting video. Thank you!

It would be interesting to have a follow up or related video on how people choose a Japanese name for themselves when they become citizens. I believe that in Singapore and Hong Kong people of Chinese descent will have both an original Chinese name and a westernised name too.

The last point about getting some form of help when immigrating is actually very good advice. Often times, you think you can do it yourself and that the government would firmly outline the process of doing so... But that is so wrong haha! I recently moved to another country and having an immigration specialist help with the process was so fantastic. They are in your corner and know the 'loopholes', so they can make an individualised plan for you that best suits your needs & timeline. In my case, a lot of the steps for emmigrating wasn't properly outlined on the governments website, nor the steps/processes I had to do there after. Not to mention language barriers when applicable. It's also handy to connect on social media with other expats and discuss with them the proces they went through to give you a full picture

Thank you for making this content.

Another delightful presentation.

This is a beautiful and perfect example of how you go to someone else’s country and learn the culture, where as one specific culture goes everywhere and wants the world to change for them

Wonderful interviews. It's a joy to listen to their stories as there are a number of RU-vid content creators who have so little respect for the customs of a country that they are a visitor in. These naturalized Japanese members remind me that there are thoughtful people visiting and choosing to stay in beautiful and rich in history countries. 🌸

Thank you, very interesting. Not planning on living in Japan (again) but good to see some new citizens start to fill the hole in the population.

I’m not ever planning to move to Japan (visit, absolutely), but I respect the effort you put at the end to have some more informative interviews. Your channel is great, you do an awesome job, I find all these videos fun to watch~

Very inspiring!

@Takashii your best video to date . Great job especially the lawyer at the end.

We have many knowledge and information from this channel . Thank you very much Takashi .

Takashii-san, great report and surely you will help lots of people who are eager to get a Japanese citizenship.

I love Japan beautiful country and Japanese people lovely and kind God bless Japan

Thank u this was very helpful, I def took notes😅

Fantastic and informative 😀

I love how the soccer player was so enamored by the culture and people that not only did he want to become a citizen but to also give back to the country with his skills. That point about the "regular" 12 hour day work for most people as a turn-off makes a lot of sense. I guess he's lucky to sidestep that aspect of being Japanese, lol

the most respectful thing u can do when going to another country is learning their culture and language. they will adore u for showing the effort

Great work as always.

Hi Takashi-san, I really enjoy your channel. I thought all the people in this video had very interesting stories, and the immigration advice was excellent. Thank you

新しい日本人の皆さん、おめでとうございます！ I also imagined living in Japan after working in Japan on and off for 8 years. Somewhere in a small village, like Makinocho Nishihama or Kita-Kamakura. But life decided otherwise - happy with the memories, but sometimes I miss Japan a lot.

とても興味深く有益なビデオでした。 かなりの高齢なので、居住条件を満たすのに十分長く滞在できるかどうかはわかりませんが。 しかし、年齢は単なる数字であり、私は今でもずっと若い人のように考え、行動しています。 笑 私はすでに言語を勉強しています。 うまくいきませんし、楽ではありませんが、私も諦めていません。 ようやく日本に引退できるようになったら、そのときは小さなことを心配することができます。 このビデオにご尽力いただきありがとうございます。 This was a very interesting and informative video. Being pretty old I'm not certain if I will be around long enough to meet the time in residence condition, though. However, age is but a number and I still think and act like someone much younger. LOL I'm already learning the language. Not well or with ease but, I'm not giving up, either. Once I can finally retire to Japan I can worry about the little things then. Thank you for your hard work on this video.

One of your best and most helpful videos! You are getting better and better at your craft.

Thanks Takashi-san, you answered my questions a lot in this video, I will move to Japan in the future and this video helps a lot!

i wish someone like you would do similar interviews in korea!! this is so informative and entertaining at the same time