Many foreigners, upon arriving in Japan, experience the high quality of life, comprehensive social security system, and abundant medical and educational resources, leading them to choose to immigrate to Japan for a new life. However, if you wish to immigrate to Japan, you must face a choice: whether to naturalize and obtain citizenship or to apply for permanent residency?
In simple terms, "naturalization" means giving up Chinese citizenship, obtaining a Japanese passport, and becoming a Japanese national. Permanent residency, on the other hand, allows you to retain your Chinese citizenship while providing you with a visa to reside permanently in Japan, similar to a green card in Western countries.
Benefits of Naturalization
1. Political Participation
After naturalization, you legally become a Japanese national, enjoying the voting rights and eligibility to run for office granted by the Japanese Constitution. You can vote for your preferred political party and even join a party of your choice. If you believe you possess both eloquence and capability, you may even run for parliament or become a minister or prime minister.
Renhō Murata, a former Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, is a naturalized Japanese citizen of Chinese descent. In 2015, the well-known Chinese activist Li Xiaomu also ran for parliament after obtaining Japanese citizenship through naturalization.
2. Loans
Japan's bank loan interest rates are very low, but major banks in Japan have strict scrutiny for loans to foreigners. The lending conditions for Japanese nationals are much more lenient; as long as you have a stable job, you can successfully apply for loans to buy a house or a car, and there are various incentives such as "zero down payment for home purchases."
3. International Travel
Friends who enjoy traveling abroad must be well aware of the struggles with visas. To apply for visas to developed countries in Europe and America with a Chinese passport, you may be required to provide income proof, bank statements, and other various documents, or you may need to attend an in-person interview at the consulate. A single misstep could lead to a rejection, leaving a permanent mark on your passport.
Out of 189 countries worldwide, 154 countries offer visa exemption for Japanese passport holders, while the remaining countries provide relatively convenient options for visa-on-arrival or electronic visas.
For those who love to travel around the world, this benefit of the Japanese passport is truly appealing. With a Japanese passport in hand, you can embark on spontaneous trips at any time.
4. Welfare Benefits
With Japanese citizenship, if you become unemployed, the Japanese government will provide you with welfare benefits of up to 150,000 yen, and you will also be offered free housing.
Benefits of Permanent Residency
1. Retaining Chinese Citizenship
Since neither China nor Japan recognizes dual citizenship, choosing to naturalize in Japan means you must give up your Chinese citizenship. After renouncing your Chinese citizenship, your Chinese passport and ID will become invalid.
Although a Japanese passport allows for 15 days of visa-free entry into China, if you wish to return to live in China long-term, you will need to apply for a visa separately.
If you hold permanent residency in Japan, you can travel freely between China and Japan, choosing where to reside long-term without restrictions.
2. Educational Benefits for Children
Tuition fees at private universities in Japan are relatively high. If you retain your Chinese citizenship, your children can benefit from reduced tuition fees as international students when attending university, and if they perform well, they can also apply for substantial scholarships for international students.
3. Reduced Unemployment Pressure
For ordinary foreigners, unemployment brings not only financial pressure but also visa issues that can be quite challenging. According to Japanese law, if you do not find a new job within a certain period, you may be deported.
However, once you obtain permanent residency, you can live freely in Japan even without a job.
4. Social Welfare
With permanent residency, you can enjoy most social welfare benefits. As long as you pay your health insurance and pension contributions on time, you will be protected just like Japanese citizens.
Your children can attend public schools for free from elementary to junior high school. The Abe government is currently promoting educational reforms, and in the near future, kindergarten and high school will also be free!
The Japanese government also provides students with nutritious and diverse free lunches. Whether you have Japanese citizenship or permanent residency, you can enjoy these educational benefits.
Having discussed all these points, you probably have a good understanding of the benefits of both naturalization and permanent residency. Each option has its advantages, and when choosing to immigrate to Japan, you can make a decision based on your own circumstances.