5 Reasons Naturalization Applications Are Denied and How to Address Them

Introduction

Not every naturalization application is approved. According to Ministry of Justice statistics, a certain number of denial cases are reported every year. If your application is denied, it may take a considerable period before you can reapply, so advance preparation is extremely important.

This article introduces the five representative reasons why naturalization applications are denied, along with concrete measures for each.

The 5 Patterns of Denial

Pattern	Related Requirement	Severity
1. Deficiency in the good conduct requirement	Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Nationality Act	High
2. Unpaid taxes or pension contributions	Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Nationality Act	High
3. False declaration	—	Extremely high
4. Insufficiency in the livelihood requirement	Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the Nationality Act	Medium to high
5. Insufficient Japanese language ability	—	Medium

Pattern 1: Deficiency in the Good Conduct Requirement

Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are one of the most frequently problematic points in the screening of the good conduct requirement for naturalization applications.

Type of Violation	Degree of Impact	Notes
Minor violations (parking violations, etc.), 1-2 times	Low	Unlikely to be a major problem
Multiple (minor) speeding violations	Medium	Records for the past five years are checked
Drunk driving	Extremely high	Very high likelihood of denial
Driving without a license	Extremely high	Very high likelihood of denial
Accident causing injury	High	Depends on the nature and degree of the accident

Countermeasure: Check your driving record for the past five years with a driving record certificate. If you have many violations, we recommend securing a sufficiently long violation-free period before applying.

Criminal Record

If you have been subject to criminal punishment in the past, this affects the good conduct requirement. A considerable period must have elapsed since the completion of the sentence.

Countermeasure: If you have a criminal record, you need to allow sufficient time to pass since the completion of your sentence and to show that you have led a socially stable life during that period.

Pattern 2: Unpaid Taxes, Pension, or Social Insurance

Unpaid taxes or pension contributions are a serious problem in the screening of the good conduct requirement.

Unpaid Item	Degree of Impact	How It Is Checked
Resident tax arrears	High	Tax assessment certificate / tax payment certificate
Failure to file income tax returns	High	Copies of final tax returns
Unpaid National Pension	High	Nenkin Teiki-bin (pension record notice)
Unpaid health insurance premiums	Medium to high	Certificate of premium payment
Corporate non-enrollment in social insurance	High	Certificate of social insurance enrollment

Countermeasure: If you have unpaid amounts, paying all of them in full before applying is essential. If lump-sum payment is difficult, set up an installment payment plan and build up at least one year of payment history before applying.

Pattern 3: False Declaration

Making a false declaration in a naturalization application is the most serious reason for denial.

Examples That Constitute False Declaration

• Misrepresenting your background (false statements about education, work history, or residence history)
• False declaration of income (such as declaring more than actual)
• Concealing family relationships
• False statements about entry and departure history
• Concealing a past criminal record

Important: The Legal Affairs Bureau conducts investigations in coordination with related agencies such as the Immigration Bureau, municipalities, and tax offices. False declarations are discovered with high probability. If discovered, not only will your application be denied, but significant obstacles will also arise for any future reapplication.

Countermeasure: Declare all facts honestly. This is the only and best countermeasure. Even if there are unfavorable facts, rather than hiding them it is important to explain how you have improved the situation.

Pattern 4: Insufficiency in the Livelihood Requirement

Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the Nationality Act requires “being able to make a living by the assets or skills of oneself, one’s spouse, or other relatives.”

Points Checked in Screening

Item Checked	Content
Stability of income	Whether there is continuous income
Level of income	Whether it is at a level that can sustain living
Status of borrowings	Whether there are excessive borrowings
Status of assets	Savings, real estate, etc.

Countermeasure: Secure a stable income, and if you have excessive borrowings, proceed with repayment in a planned manner. Note that since the livelihood requirement is judged on a household basis, your spouse’s income is also taken into consideration.

Pattern 5: Insufficient Japanese Language Ability

In a naturalization application, your Japanese language ability is checked at the interview at the Legal Affairs Bureau. No clear standard has been published, but the following levels are generally said to be required.

Ability	Guideline
Conversation	Able to hold everyday conversation smoothly
Reading	Able to read kanji at roughly the third-grade elementary school level
Writing	Able to write simple sentences

Countermeasure: If you are unsure of your Japanese, work on studying Japanese before applying. It is effective to consciously create an environment in which you use Japanese on a daily basis.

Comprehensive Measures for Avoiding Denial

1. Thorough advance preparation: In a prior consultation with the Legal Affairs Bureau, convey your situation accurately and identify problem areas
2. Honest declaration: Declare all facts accurately without concealment
3. Fulfillment of public obligations: Pay taxes, pension contributions, and health insurance in full before applying
4. A stable foundation for living: Maintain continuous income and appropriate living circumstances
5. Consulting a specialist: If you have any concerns, consult an Administrative Scrivener with extensive experience in naturalization applications

Our Support

For consultations regarding naturalization applications, trust Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office.

• 98% approval rate
• Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese
• Free initial consultation
• Serving Chiba, Tokyo, and nationwide (online consultation available)

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