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Metropolis Japan
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Metropolis Japan
Does Japan Allow Dual Citizenship?
Short answer, no, but most people have dual citizenship By Jessie Carbutt Image Credit: Yobab Japan does not officially recognize dual citizenship for adults. According to Japanese law, citizens who hold more than one nationality are required to choose one before turning 22 (or within two years of acquiring a second nationality, if after age 20). This is outlined in Japan's Nationality Act (国籍法). However, the situation in practice can be more nuanced. Under Article 14 of Japan's Nationality Act: ➤A dual national must choose one nationality before turning 22 ➤If they gain a second nationality after age 20, they must choose within 2 years ➤'Choosing' Japanese nationality involves formally renouncing the other nationality In theory, failure to do so could result in losing Japanese nationality. But enforcement of this requirement is rare, which leads to some gray area in practice. What Happens If You Don't Renounce One? In practice, many Japanese citizens who are born with dual citizenship (for example, one Japanese parent and one foreign parent) quietly retain both nationalities, especially if they live abroad. The Japanese government may send a notice asking them to choose, but: ➤Enforcement is inconsistent ➤There are no criminal penalties ➤Some individuals never receive such notice ➤Japan does not automatically revoke citizenship if you fail to act ➤That said, this is not officially permitted—it's more a case of tolerated ambiguity than legal acceptance. Can You Reacquire Japanese Citizenship Later? If a Japanese citizen gives up their citizenship (e.g., to naturalize in another country that doesn't allow dual nationality), they would have to reapply through naturalization if they later wanted to become Japanese again. Japan's naturalization process is lengthy and strict. Requirements include: ➤Living in Japan for 5+ consecutive years ➤Demonstrating financial stability ➤Japanese language ability ➤Renouncing other citizenships In other words, once given up, it's hard to get Japanese nationality back. Children and Dual Citizenship Children born with dual nationality are allowed to keep both citizenships until age 22. Around that time, they are expected to submit a 選択届 (sentaku todoke, Nationality Selection Form) choosing Japanese nationality. However, choosing Japanese citizenship doesn't automatically cancel your other nationality—unless you take the additional step of formally renouncing it with the other country's government. So in many cases, individuals remain technically dual citizens, even if Japan considers them to have 'chosen.' Why Doesn't Japan Allow Dual Citizenship? The Japanese government's official stance is that dual citizenship could cause: ➤Loyalty conflicts ➤Diplomatic complications ➤Issues with military service or taxes in other countries Japan prefers clear, single-national allegiances. This contrasts with countries like Canada, the U.S. and many within the EU, where dual citizenship is legally accepted. How Japan's Policy Compares to Other Countries Japan's position falls somewhere in the middle globally—stricter than many Western countries, but less aggressively enforced than the world's most rigid nations. Here's a comparison: Countries that Freely Allow Dual Citizenship: These countries have no issue with holding multiple nationalities North America: Canada United States Mexico Europe: France Germany (recently liberalized in 2024) Ireland Italy Portugal Sweden UK Finland Greece Belgium Asia: Pakistan Philippines (only with certain countries) Israel Lebanon Bangladesh (under certain conditions) Africa: South Africa Egypt Nigeria (generally accepted) Oceania: Australia New Zealand Latin America: Brazil Argentina Colombia Peru Chile In these nations, dual citizenship is legal, common, and generally lifelong. Countries with Limited or Conditional Dual Citizenship These countries allow it only in certain cases or with restrictions: South Korea – Allows dual citizenship in limited cases (e.g., special talents, spouses of Koreans, children born with two nationalities). Spain – Children born with two nationalities must declare it. Those with nationalities from certain Latin American countries do not have to declare it. South Africa – Requires official permission before acquiring another nationality Austria – Allows dual citizenship for children born with two nationalities Countries That Prohibit or Discourage It These take a hard line against dual nationality: China – Automatic loss of Chinese nationality if another nationality is acquired India – No dual citizenship, though an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) system exists Singapore – Dual citizenship is not allowed; must choose by 21 Indonesia – Dual citizenship is not allowed; must choose by 18 Where Japan Stands: Japan falls into the category of 'soft prohibition' on dual citizenship: ➤Legally, dual citizenship is not permitted. ➤Japanese citizens are required by law to choose one nationality before the age of 22 if they were born with dual citizenship. ➤In practice, however, many individuals who were born with both Japanese and foreign nationality—often due to having one Japanese and one non-Japanese parent—are able to retain both informally. Enforcement is minimal, especially for those living abroad or not drawing legal attention. ➤This informal tolerance does not apply to those who naturalize as Japanese citizens later in life. In these cases, authorities typically require proof of renunciation of the person's original nationality as part of the naturalization process. Is Japan Likely to Change Its Policy? There have been occasional political discussions about modernizing Japan's nationality rules, especially as more international families emerge. But no formal movement has succeeded so far. The law remains strict, even if enforcement is often inconsistent. Public attitudes in Japan still largely favor single nationality, especially among older and more conservative voters, making change unlikely in the near future.
Metropolis Japan
07-07-2025
- General
- Metropolis Japan
Why Japanese Homes Don't Have Ovens
And how to survive without one By Jessie Carbutt Roughly 94% of Japanese households do not have a built-in oven. And if you're used to baking lasagna, roasting a whole turkey, or even just reheating pizza on a baking sheet, this can be kind of a shock when you first move here. Japanese Kitchens Are Compact for a Reason If you've ever stepped into a typical Japanese apartment, you've probably noticed one thing right away: the kitchen is tiny. We're talking a sink, a single stove ring, maybe a fridge that's half the size of a Western one — and barely any counter space. Tokyo local Hiro put it bluntly: 'I don't really have that many recipes that need an oven! A lot of Japanese food is not baked, and I can use my microwave and toaster. Honestly, my kitchen is so small that I eat out a lot. With the price of rice going up, especially, it's often cheaper for me to do that. If I could afford a big place and had time to cook, maybe I'd have one.' Japanese homes, especially in urban centers, are designed to be ultra-efficient. Traditional meals like nabe (hot pot), yakitori (grilled skewers), and nimono (simmered dishes) are cooked on the stovetop, not in the oven. Baking just never became a home kitchen necessity in Japan. The Rise of the Microwave-Oven Hybrid One of the most popular appliances in Japan is the denshi renji (microwave oven) — and many of them are combo units that microwave and function as small convection ovens. But they're not exactly intuitive. Gemima, a designer who moved to Tokyo from Australia, told us: 'I really missed my oven at first since I liked baking cakes a lot. I have a microwave oven now that melts anything that touches the roof when I put it into oven mode, so it's kind of a pain to use.' These hybrid units can roast, bake, toast and microwave. But they're not going to fit your big casserole dish or the Thanksgiving turkey. If you've ever tried to bake cookies in one, you know it's a game of rotating trays and praying your dough doesn't crisp unevenly. Airfryers, Toaster Ovens, and the DIY Oven Life When we asked around about alternatives, the air fryer came up a lot. Miko, who lived in the U.S. for 10 years before returning to Tokyo, swears by hers: 'I have an air fryer that I religiously use. I can cook anything, and it takes up less space and heating time than an oven, so it works for me! It's very uncommon for Tokyo kitchens to have space in the kitchen for a traditional oven like I used to have in the U.S.' Toaster ovens are another big hit here. They're small, affordable, and surprisingly powerful. You can toast bread, reheat leftovers, roast vegetables and even bake cakes — if you're willing to go a little mini. Eating Out is the Backup Plan (and Sometimes the First Plan) Convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan are absurdly good. From karaage (fried chicken) to fresh sushi and seasonal bento (lunch boxes), there's very little incentive to cook everything from scratch — especially when you're short on time or space. And with places like Ootoya, Matsuya, or even the local depachika (department store basement food halls), hot meals are accessible for under ¥1,000. Many locals, like Hiro, genuinely find it cheaper and easier to grab meals outside rather than stock an expensive pantry — especially now, with prices of staples like rice going up. So, Why Japanese Homes Don't Have Ovens And Do You Need an Oven in Japan? Short answer: No. Longer answer: It depends on your cooking style. If you're big into baking or roasting, you'll need to either invest in a countertop oven or get creative with what's available. But plenty of people—both locals and expats—live without one just fine. The key is adapting. You might not be able to make a Thanksgiving turkey in your 1K apartment, but you can learn to love the stovetop, embrace the world of airfrying, and maybe even find your new go-to dish in the freezer section of 7-Eleven.
Metropolis Japan
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Metropolis Japan
Summer Survival Products in Japan 2025
It's time to upgrade your summer strategy for staying cool and hydrated By Jessie Carbutt Summer wind chimes. Summer scenery in Japan. Accessories to heal the summer heat. When Tokyo starts to feel like a subtropical soup, it's time to upgrade your summer strategy for staying cool and hydrated. Whether you're commuting, festival-hopping, or simply trying not to melt in your sleep, here's your go-to list of 2025's best summer survival products in Japan that I've suffered in Japan's Augusts for, so you don't have to. G-Zero Lightweight Parasol – From Tokyu Hands, Built to Last Hands down the best parasols. The G-Zero is ultra-light, ultra-UV-blocking, and ultra-tiny. It fits into even my smallest summer bags without weighing me down, and it's engineered to not flip or break (I've had mine for five years—still perfect). This Tokyu Hands exclusive is like carrying your own portable patch of shade. Where to buy: Tokyu Hands Price: ¥3,850 UNIQLO & MUJI Summer Tees Sweat. Patches. I cannot deal. When I first arrived in Japan, I noticed that I was always the only one on the train with sweat patches. Literally no one else had them. Turns out you just need cotton you can trust, and both UNIQLO and MUJI deliver. Their summer lines feature breathable cotton or AIRism blends that wick away sweat without leaving stains or patches. Minimalist, soft, and odor-resistant. Where to buy: Tokyu Hands, UNIQLO, Muji Price: ¥2,000+ Disposable Cooling Sheets Pop into any convenience store or pharmacy and you'll find racks of cooling wipes—the secret weapon of salarymen, cyclists and anyone braving Tokyo trains. The best brands (according to me): GATSBY Ice-Type, Biore SaraSara and Sea Breeze. These sheets are like menthol shots for your skin. Keep them chilled in the fridge for maximum effect. Where to buy: Any drugstore or combini Price: ¥500 Freeze Your Combini Drink Grab a bottle of Pocari Sweat or mugicha, or electrolyte jelly pouches from 7-Eleven or Lawson, throw it in your freezer, and take it to go. Some combini's even sell them frozen. It thaws into a cold, slushy heaven. Where to buy: Any drugstore or combini Price: ¥100 – ¥300 Nitori's Cooling Bedding Nitori's N-Cool Series includes cooling pillows, mattress pads, and bedsheets designed to wick heat and stay chill against your skin. The 2025 models have added moisture absorption and anti-odor tech. Realistically, I feel it's mostly a placebo effect that I'm feeling cooler using them, but it's certainly better than regular bedding or a thick duvet. Where to buy: Nitori Price: ¥1,990+ Cooling Spray Mists Pocket-sized bottles that spritz a menthol mist on your skin or clothes. Try the Shoshugen Cool Spray or Biore Cooling Mist for a mid-day reset. Where to buy: Tomod's, Matsumoto Kiyoshi Price: ¥764 Furin Japanese Wind Chimes Not a physical cooling tool, but a psychologically cooling effect for your brain. The soft tinkling sound evokes breezes and creates a calm, cooler-feeling environment. Hang by a window or balcony to get those mood-based chill points. Daiso has cheap ones that make great souvenirs for friends, too. Where to buy: Daiso Price: ¥1,500+ Portable Fan – The MVP of Every Japanese Summer If there's one thing I refuse to leave home without between July and September, it's a rechargeable portable fan. Whether I'm waiting on a platform with no breeze in sight or standing in a festival crowd, this little lifesaver gives instant relief. Look for ones with adjustable speed settings and a neck strap (trust me). Some even double as power banks. I've dropped mine about five times and it's still spinning strong.
