To renounce or not to renounce . . .

The following are comments offered to The Japan Times by those who responded to a survey on dual nationality and related follow-up questions. Their comments follow their sex (when available), their current or past nationalities, age range and what he or she decided to do with the nationalities.



U.S.-Japanese, 20s, maintains both nationalities

“I was worried about this law after the age of 22 and I had to renew my American passport. I ended up worrying for nothing because when I went to the American consulate and Japanese city offices they both mentioned Nationality Law but neither did anything to enforce it. I use both passports freely with little trouble.”



U.S.-Japanese, 20s, forfeited Japanese citizenship

“I renounced my Japanese citizenship due to my work. I felt like I betrayed my Japanese side of the family, when it was definitely not my intention. It’s like cutting an orange in half, removing the inside for one half, and gluing it back together.”



Female, Canadian-German-Japanese, 30s, forfeited Japanese citizenship

“Having to choose a nationality at age 22 was the first formal instance of feeling as though I was ‘not Japanese enough,’ but I am often reminded in other ways that I am not ‘Japanese’ by people in Japan because of how I look. Decisions to give up a nationality can have huge consequences on the lives of people and their children, so it’s not enough to tacitly allow dual nationality without explicitly stating it. It is not morally right that some people are able to keep both citizenships and other aren’t, simply because different people receive different information.”



Male, U.S.-Japanese, 30s, maintains both nationalities

“I am usually very nervous when I approach the customs desk. I also get self-conscious waiting in line for the Japanese passport-holder queue, as I am more Caucasian-looking than I am Japanese-looking. However, I do not remember ever being questioned by an attendant as I wait in line.”



Male, Mexican-Japanese, 30s, maintains both nationalities

“At that time, Mexico was already accepting dual citizenship but didn’t have an option to renounce the Mexican citizenship. In the Japanese embassy they actually told me to add a letter explaining that I was willing to give up the Mexican citizenship but it was not technically possible.”



Male, British-Japanese, 30, maintains both nationalities

“I don’t see why it would cause any problems for me (to) have dual nationality, particularly as many countries already allow it. If they are worried about loyalty then maybe they could put restrictions on people in certain positions in the government or military, for instance.”



Female, British-Japanese, 20s, maintains both nationalities

“Mixed people go through identity crisis anyway, so making you choose one reinforces that identity crisis.”



Female, U.S.-Japanese, 29, maintains both nationalities

“My parents were concerned because if I enter this gray area I may not be accepted in either country. To be biracial and be able to say you have citizenship can open doors for you. It allows you to work in those places. If you can speak both languages, you can have that leverage to connect both countries culturally and in the workplace.”



Australian-Japanese, 30, forfeited Japanese citizenship

“I feel like I have been forced to give up part of my heritage, as I am now legally treated as a foreigner in the country where half of my extended family resides. This affects my ability to stay in Japan for an extended period of time, and to work there if I want to.”



Male, U.S.-Japanese, 20s, maintains both nationalities

“My mother worked really hard to earn Japanese citizenship as she naturalized from China. Losing my Japanese citizenship wouldn’t affect me economically because I live in the U.S., but because of my family history, my citizenship there is very significant to me, sentimentally.

“One time I went to Japanese customs with both passports. When I went to customs I took out both passports and asked them how to enter. He asked me why I was here, and I said I was here to work. He said I had to hurry and pick one. Once I got in the country there was no follow up.”



Male, U.S.-Japanese, 20s, maintains both nationalities

“I haven’t had help from friends. I’ve been relying on anecdotal advice from people I know or friends of friends who happen to have two citizenships.

“Growing up I tended to be shyer, I usually followed the rules, I was more conscious of the feelings of other people than my American peers, I liked Japanese things such as anime and manga, and so on. After visiting Japan, I realized that I was not weird, and that my behavior was normal for Japanese people. I learned a lot about myself being in Japan and I value my Japanese citizenship a great deal.

“I’m worried now that there will be some unforeseen problem with my citizenship and I won’t be able to stay or work when I go back. So I hope the law changes to affirmatively accept people with two citizenships and allow people like me to live and work in Japan, pay taxes, and benefit society properly without feeling like I’m doing something wrong or untoward.”



Female, Australian-Japanese, 30s, maintains both nationalities

“I have many half-Japanese friends who don’t have citizenship who love Japan and want to live here but it’s hard for them due to visa issues. These people are smart global people. I feel like it could only be a benefit to Japan. Maybe someone could take advantage of (easier routes to citizenship) but so many other countries allow it, so it must be working for them.

“I want to be a part of the conversation to change these laws, but unfortunately because it’s illegal I can’t be open about it.”



Male, German-Japanese, 30, maintains both nationalities

“It’s really funny because once I applied for a program/fellowship to go to Japan and I got accepted. I applied with my German passport but then through the process it came out that I have a Japanese passport, and at that point I couldn’t do it anymore because the program was only for foreigners.”



U.S.-Japanese, 20s, maintains both nationalities

“For me, I’ve kept both nationalities because it’s a matter of identity. Being forced to choose one over the other is like being forced to choose a limb to hack off, come age 22. It shouldn’t be a crime to want to maintain a connection with the country of one’s roots. I’ve paid taxes in both countries, I vote, I occasionally volunteer. I’m a law-abiding citizen (except for the citizenship thing), and am just a bit fed up with being told that I’m a threat to national security for wanting to preserve my heritage.

“I suspect Japan has lost many valuable citizens due to its ridiculous policy, which basically sends the message, ‘We only want you if you’re 100 percent Japanese.'”



U.S.-Japanese, 30s, forfeited Japanese citizenship

“Other countries may also have jurisdiction over their citizens in Japan, for example they prosecute actions which are not crimes here but are crimes in that country. We should try to avoid this kind of legal confusion and conflict in Japan. The prohibition on dual citizenship is an appropriate way of dealing with these kinds of conflicts of jurisdiction.”



British-Japanese, 20s, maintains both nationalities

“Growing up, I was always connected to Japan through TV, books and yearly visits. Currently I have moved to Japan to work. I am really enjoying my experience and have realized that I am more Japanese in many ways. For someone to tell me that I have to stop being Japanese or British is, in all honesty, devastating. I have to decide between the country I grew up in or the country I was born in and feel very connected to.”



U.S.-Japanese, 30s, maintains both nationalities

“The American Embassy is very clear to explain to you that your American Citizenship is between you and America. Japan has no ability to check into your citizenship status and would be denied access if they tried.”



Australian-Japanese, 20s, maintains both nationalities

“My dual nationality is not only beneficial for myself, but it also allows me to greater enhance the broader Australia-Japan relationship through my professional work too.

“Japan’s position on dual nationals is lamentable, and it will only continue to isolate and lose extremely talented individuals if its stance does not change. We have seen people ranging from business professionals to Nobel laureates having to choose their nationality due to Japan’s archaic laws, and often times Japan does lose out.”

This story was published in April 19, 2018 edition of The Japan Times.