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Japan is facing renewed political debate over a long-standing contradiction in its nationality laws, a system that technically bans dual citizenship but has operated for decades with minimal enforcement. What was once a quiet legal gray area is now becoming a national conversation, led by rising political voices calling for clarity and reform.
A Law That Exists But Isn’t Enforced
Under Japan’s Nationality Act, individuals who hold multiple nationalities are required to choose one before turning 22 (or within two years of acquiring dual nationality after age 20). On paper, Japan does not recognize dual citizenship for adults.
However, in practice, enforcement has been extremely limited. There is no systematic verification process to ensure individuals renounce foreign citizenship. As a result, many people continue to hold dual nationality without facing penalties or formal scrutiny.
Estimates suggest that approximately 900,000 individuals may currently exist in this legal gray zone holding Japanese nationality alongside another passport.
The situation largely stems from how citizenship is granted. Any child born to a Japanese parent automatically acquires Japanese nationality, regardless of the country of birth or whether that country also grants citizenship.
For children born abroad, this often results in dual nationality from birth. Although the law requires them to choose one nationality by age 22, the lack of enforcement mechanisms means many never formally relinquish either citizenship.
Over time, this gap between legislation and practice has created a system that is technically restrictive but practically flexible.
The issue has now entered mainstream political debate, with Kimi Onoda emerging as one of the most vocal advocates for reform.
Onoda argues that Japan must confront what she describes as a broken and contradictory system. According to her stance, the government must either:
● Strictly enforce the current ban on dual citizenship, or
● Officially modernize the law to recognize and regulate dual nationality.
She contends that maintaining a law that is widely ignored undermines legal integrity and public trust.
A Globalized Reality vs. Traditional Policy
Japan has historically favored a single-nationality framework, rooted in postwar legal structures emphasizing exclusive allegiance. But the country’s increasingly global population, growing diaspora, and international marriages have complicated that model.
In a globalized era, dual citizenship is widely accepted in many developed nations. Supporters of reform argue that recognizing dual nationality could strengthen Japan’s international ties, encourage global talent retention, and reflect modern realities.
Critics, however, warn of concerns related to national loyalty, voting rights, public office eligibility, and diplomatic conflicts in cases involving dual nationals.
The debate goes beyond paperwork. Japan holds one of the world’s most powerful passports in terms of visa-free access. For individuals benefiting from dual nationality, the stakes are high.
If enforcement were suddenly tightened, hundreds of thousands could be forced to make formal declarations. If the law were modernized, it could reshape Japan’s national identity framework.
As political momentum builds, Japan stands at a crossroads. The nation must decide whether to uphold a strict interpretation of citizenship rooted in tradition or adapt its legal system to reflect the realities of a globalized society.
With lawmakers like Kimi Onoda pushing the issue into the spotlight, what was once a silent loophole has become a defining political showdown one that could reshape Japan’s nationality policy for generations to come.
