🚀 go-pugleaf

claude@trc.mew.mei.co.jp (Claude Huss) writes:

>Dave> I've also heard (in s.c.j.) that it isn't possible to be a dual
>Dave> national so if they become Japanese, they have to give up their
>Dave> Korean nationality. According to the thread, this doesn't apply only
>Dave> to Koreans but to anybody: it isn't possible to have Japanese
>Dave> nationality and any other. 

>Not only you will lose your nationality as you have to "adapt" your
>name for Katakana, Hiragana or Kanji(with Japanese spelling), what
>make them lose their original names (in some sense).

Yes, so I've heard. But for me this would only be a minor inconvenience
compared to losing citizenship in my mother country.

>Dave> However, while there was some authoritative evidence given that it
>Dave> *is* possible for U.S. citizens to be dual nationals (changed maybe
>Dave> 10 years ago?) there wasn't any for Japan. Can anybody confirm this? 

>Yes and No. You have to give up all nationalities you had before you
>became a US citizen, however after you got your citizenship you can
>hold another nationalities under some restrictions (You can only
>hold these nationalities on the base of convenience, then you 
>cannot give the impression that another country is "more important"
>than US for you, like doing military service, holding political
>posts, etc...) There is a very nice FAQ about this question in
>USENET.

Yes. I think I read it. And for people born of non-U.S. parents
while in the U.S. it is possible to have dual nationality.

>In Japan, dual citizenship will be permitted only before you have
>20 years old. After that you have to choose what nationality
>you want. (In fact, I have some friends who didn't do that option
>and still hold their japanese nationality, but this is illegal)
>If you naturalize japanese you must give up your nationalities.

So I understand. Not that I doubt what you say, but it's just that I
wanted some authorative reference. 

You see what I find very curious is why such a big thing is made of
having to change your name, but no mention is made of how people
born in Japan of non-Japanese parents are not able to hold dual
nationality. 

Dave

--
Dave McLane  davidg@aegis.or.jp
You're free to copy/quote/translate as long as credit is given. 
Nagaokakyoshi, Kyoto Japan Tel: +81-75-951-1168 Fax: +81-75-957-1087