Renewing Citizenship

[Megan]

Hello,
I have a question, if someone wouldn't mind taking the time answering it for me.
I was born in Okinawa , Japan and was a citizen of Japan until I was about five (sharing citizenship with America through my mother). I wasn't able to go back to Japan due to costs and I'm eighteen, now.
I still have my consulate papers and my passport, though my passport is invalid now due to age. Would my process to renew my citizenship with Japan be different than someone who had never been a citizen before at all? And what would the steps be, exactly?
I'm asking because my fiancee and I may be getting stationed in Japan through the American military, and I already love the country, but if he decides he likes it there too, we might stay. If I could renew my citizenship, it would be easier for him to become a citizen as well.
I would appreciate it if someone could answer. Thank you ahead of time!

 

[Mars Man]

There are those here at JREF who have more info on the details, and they'll post in time. I don't think it would be so hard, in that you basically have dual rights until 21, I do believe.

Are we to take it that your father (evidently the Japanese national in the connection) is still alive and well, and in Japan? That might make a big difference, maybe.

 

[Megan]

Actually, I have no idea. I've never met my father and from what I know, he's Italian, not Japanese.
I managed my citizenship through a tangled mess of paperwork that was involved in being born off-base, and hence on Japanese soil. It's a confusing process and I would have to talk to my mother about how the process planned out in the end, but I was a citizen at one point and have the paperwork.
It's strange, yes, I know.

 

[FrustratedDave]

Three words "seek profesional advise" . If it is that complicated I would talk to the Japanese consulate where you are now.

 

[Megan]

Haha, good point.

I was just curious of anyone knew what sorts of questions I would ask? My grandmother worked for the U.S. government for a long while and I know from experience that they like to give you paperwork and then not tell you what to do with it.

 

[Mike Cash]

Citizenship doesn't expire, so you don't have to renew it.

You can choose to come over with your husband on a SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) sponsored basis and once you're here take care of having a Japanese passport reissued, if you like. Or you can come over on a tourist visa on your American passport, and then once you're here just remain due to being a Japanese citizen.

A few points:

1. If you have dual citizenship, Japan requires you to choose one or the other at (or by?) the age of 20. Declaring to Japan that you choose Japanese citizenship has no direct effect on your American citizenship as far as America is concerned. However, I'm just a random stranger on the internet and you would do well to seek competent professional advice regarding that.

2. Japan is a "jus sanguinis" (by blood) country....not a "jus soli" (by being born there, like the U.S.) country. If I read your posts correctly you have no Japanese blood and obtained citizenship due to a provision which allows for Japanese citizenship when the father is unknown. That should have no bearing on citizenship once granted, though. You got it; you still have it.

3. Marriage at 18 is never a particularly good idea, particularly when you consider throwing in the stresses of living in a foreign land and a military/dependent lifestyle. I don't expect you to pay any attention at all to this bit, but I'm throwing it out there just so you can't later on say nobody tried to warn you.

4. You love the idea of Japan. You have no way of knowing if you will love Japan or not until you get here. Just keep the distinction in mind.

5. Depending on your husband's branch of service, rank, duty station, availability of housing, etc. he may or may not be able to obtain command sponsorship to bring you over on the SOFA thingy. Typically, approval involves his committing to a lengthened stay at that duty station. However, it brings additional benefits in terms of housing assistance and getting in line for base housing, if/when it becomes available.

6. We're happy to help to the degree that we can, but you should always remember that the best advice you'll ever get for such important things is, as has already been pointed out, to seek competent professional advice and assistance.

 

[Megan]

Ah, ok, so it isn't a matter of renewal, just readdressing my place in the country. I'm going to college before I do anything, so I'll be in my twenties before I actually do get married (I know, I've been warned on several accounts) and I'm not planning on moving straight to Japan.

We're planning on living at several different stations abroad and here in the States before we settle on anything, but I'm planning ahead in the fact that if we do decide on Japan, we'll know the process. We've already looked into Italy's and New Zealand's citizenship processes as well.

However, thank you for giving me a date that I have to decide by, I'm going for two weeks with a host family as sort of a cultural "test run". It's not an enormous amount of time, but it might give me some insight as to if I even want to get stationed there, let alone live there. I'm taking baby-steps.

So, I'm guessing the first place I should start is with my mother and untangling my paper-trail. That's as good a place as any. Thanks!

 

[Mike Cash]

There may be some ramifications regarding your ability to claim citizenship if you fail to make (and declare) your choice to the Japanese authorities by the age of 20. They may have a default assumption that if you're out of the country (especially for so long) and fail to contact them then you have chosen against retaining Japanese citizenship. I emphasize: I don't know that to be a fact; it is just conjecture. While you're here on your two week visit contact an immigration attorney and make sure you have your ducks in a row.

 

[Glenski]

Why does your fiancee want Japanese citizenship?