u/gaijin-senpai

Current waiting for my interview call but lately I am seeing some foreigners living in Japan getting nasty at other foreigners for choosing to naturalize.

I just don’t understand the thought process here for acting like a gatekeeper when they themselves are not Japanese. Also most of these guys/gals for whatever reason seem to be from US/Europe/Australia. Is this some sort of a cultural superiority thing that prevents them from wanting to surrendering their nationality at the same time being so emotionally invested in Japan that their insecurity goes off the roof when they see another gaijin getting a more stable legal status in Japan then what they do?

I really am curious about this. Any thoughts?

So I finished my interview this week followed by home visit and call at my workplace.

I have been in Japan for 9 years and 11 months. Case worker mentioned 10 year won’t be an issue for my case as I will be over the 10 year mark at the time of review by MOJ.

Btw no Japanese test. I have N2 and good spoken Japanese.

What’s the normal waiting time from here on?

With so many things going on recently ranging from inflation, weak yen to stricter immigration policies it will be great to hear from lifers or veterans in Japan who been here 10+ years and have had a good progression in their career and family life.

Specifically if you could tell how long you been here, how you met your significant other(if in Japan) and how is life going in general.

I’ll start with myself. I came here when I was 21 year old just out of university in my home country . Got my 1st job here in a MNC at a humble 4M annual salary. Currently here for 10 years and make 15M annually after changing jobs a couple times along the way. During this journey I have dated mostly Japanese women, not married yet but enjoying my life to the fullest based in Tokyo. Currently I plan to apply for citizenship and marry in my mid to late 30s, buy a house and have kids if all goes well.

Since marriage will be the next major life event for me to navigate it would be great if you could share your two cents on what made your marriage successful or not so successful. Though I have dated long term a couple of times I have observed how living together is a totally different ball game especially with international couples so it would be interesting to hear stories. PS: I speak Japanese.

Would love to hear from you! And please feel free to leave any life advice for us. Thank you :)

Application submitted: April 2026(after the new rule kicked in)

Residency at time of application: 9 years 6 months

Currently waiting for interview

Received a call today from the legal bureau to schedule a home visit end of July. What should I expect during the visit? Any do's and dont's?

Tbh I am just relieved that they didn't call me to suggest withdrawing the application nor scheduling the final interview before September when I will finish my 10 years residency.

EDIT: applied at Kanagawa(Yokohama/Kawasaki area)