Spouse of a Japanese national (simplified naturalization)

Example scenarios

• Elena qualifies under the Art. 7 spouse simplified naturalization — Track B: 3 years elapsed since marriage AND 1 year of continuous domicile in Japan. She satisfies both limbs. (Track A alternatively requires 3 years' continuous domicile, which she also now meets.) The 5-year ordinary domicile requirement (Art. 5(1)(i)) and the age/capacity condition (Art. 5(1)(ii)) are waived. However she must still satisfy: good conduct (Art. 5(1)(iii)), livelihood/self-sufficiency (Art. 5(1)(iv) — NOT waived for spouses, unlike Art. 8 tracks), sole-nationality (Art. 5(1)(v) — must renounce Russian citizenship or qualify for the Art. 5(2) waiver), and no constitutional-loyalty bar (Art. 5(1)(vi)). The application is filed in person at the Legal Affairs Bureau. No statutory filing fee. Processing: approximately 8-12 months examination. Naturalization effective on Official Gazette date (Art. 10). Koseki entry notification within 1 month thereafter.

  3 years from marriage + 1 year domicile satisfies Art. 7 Track B | Alternatively, 3 years continuous domicile satisfies Art. 7 Track A | Good conduct, livelihood, sole-nationality, and loyalty conditions still apply | Livelihood condition (Art. 5(1)(iv)) is NOT waived for spouses (contrast with Art. 8 tracks)

• Natasha qualifies for Art. 7 spouse simplified naturalization — she is a spouse of a Japanese national. She satisfies Track A (3+ years continuous domicile in Japan: 6 years) AND Track B (3+ years from marriage: 4 years + 1+ year domicile). The 5-year domicile and age/capacity conditions are waived. She must satisfy: good conduct (Art. 5(1)(iii)); livelihood (Art. 5(1)(iv) — NOT waived for spouses); sole-nationality: she must renounce Israeli nationality or qualify for Art. 5(2) waiver. Israel generally permits renunciation of Israeli citizenship. The Art. 5(2) special-circumstances waiver (where renunciation is impossible against the applicant's will) is less likely to apply if Israel permits voluntary renunciation. She applies at the Legal Affairs Bureau. No statutory fee. Processing ~8-12 months. On approval, she files the koseki entry notification within 1 month of the Official Gazette notice.

  Art. 7 Track A: 3+ years domicile (6 years) — satisfied | Art. 7 Track B: 3+ years from marriage (4 years) + 1+ year domicile — satisfied | Livelihood condition NOT waived for spouses (contrast Art. 8 tracks) | Must renounce Israeli nationality (Art. 5(1)(v))

• Lena does NOT yet qualify for either Art. 7 track. Track A requires 3+ years continuous domicile/residence in Japan — she has only 18 months. Track B requires 3+ years elapsed since the marriage date AND 1+ year domicile — she has only been married 18 months (less than 3 years). She should wait. Track B becomes available after her 3rd marriage anniversary (in approximately 18 months from now). Track A becomes available after 3 years of continuous domicile (in approximately 18 more months). Both tracks will be available at roughly the same time. In the interim, she should maintain her Japanese domicile record uninterrupted, ensure good conduct, maintain livelihood, and plan the sole-nationality step (renounce German citizenship or apply for Art. 5(2) waiver — Germany generally permits renunciation). She should prepare documents now to be ready to file when the 3-year anniversary is reached.

  Art. 7 Track A: 3+ years continuous domicile — not met (18 months) | Art. 7 Track B: 3+ years from marriage + 1 year domicile — not met (18 months from marriage) | Must wait approximately 18 more months for eligibility | Can prepare documents and plan renunciation of German citizenship in the meantime