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Long-Term Resident — third-generation Japanese descendant (Nikkei sansei)

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Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What family, citizenship, ethnic, historical or former-resident connection creates access to this route?

Being a third-generation descendant of Japanese nationals (Nikkei sansei) gives access to the "Long-Term Resident" status, which covers persons the Minister of Justice authorises to reside for a designated period in consideration of special reasons.

See recorded sources

How far back can the qualifying connection extend, and what important transmission limitations exist?

The connection reaches the third generation: the applicant is a Nikkei sansei and must document the Japanese grandparent(s) (family register) and the parents. Spouses of second- and third-generation Nikkei are separate categories.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The legal definition and transmission limits are in MOJ Notice No. 132 (1990), whose PDF is vertical text and could not be cited; see 2R.

What records are central to proving the lineage or historical connection?

The central records are Japanese municipal records (the Japanese grandparent's family register (koseki) or removed register; marriage-registration certificates of grandparents and parents, the applicant's birth-registration certificate and death-registration certificates of grandparents and parents where filed in Japan) and foreign records (marriage certificates of grandparents and parents, birth certificates of parents and applicant, any acknowledgement certificate, official documents proving the grandparents and parents existed, and proof of the applicant's identity).

See recorded sources

Does the pathway result in a visa, residence permit, right of return, citizenship or another status?

The route results in a residence status ("Long-Term Resident", teijusha) with a period of stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months or a period designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 5 years).

See recorded sources

What application progression, residence obligations, family consequences or further citizenship/residence possibilities follow?

The period of stay can be extended (separate procedures for the first and later extensions). A 5-year period requires proof of Japanese ability (except minors): 6+ months at a designated Japanese-language institution, B1-equivalent (JLPT N2, or N3 with 104+ points, or BJT 400+), or 1+ year at a school under Art. 1 of the School Education Act. Spouses of third-generation Nikkei and unmarried minor biological children supported by a Long-Term Resident have their own categories.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No permanent-residence or citizenship pathway is stated in the captured sources.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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