I Became a Citizen of Japan

Derek Wessman describes his experience becoming a Japanese citizen, emphasizing that the naturalization process is intentionally designed to be opaque, documentation-intensive, and takes at least a year with outcomes partly based on subjective judgment. He began the process in 2012 at his local Legal Affairs Bureau and warns prospective applicants to consult directly with the Ministry of Justice rather than rely on secondhand accounts, as each application is treated individually. The article details extensive required documentation, including original birth certificates for family members, marriage certificates, affidavits, and detailed family information.