Is there a "how to prevent naturalization" for foreigners and Koreans living in Japan who do not want to be naturalized?

From those who are considering naturalization applications, especially Koreans living in Japan,"I don't want my workplace or future spouse to know that I've become a naturalized citizen..." "Is there a way to avoid people finding out that I've become a naturalized citizen?"I understand your concerns, as you probably want to avoid being treated in a discriminatory manner as much as possible.
In conclusion,It is not possible to completely hide the fact that you have naturalizedThis is because records will be kept for procedural purposes.
However,You can make it more difficult to understand.
In this column, an administrative scrivener specializing in visas and naturalization will explain the method in an easy-to-understand manner.

1. In what situations might my naturalized status be discovered?

First, we will explain in what situations you can apply for naturalization and whether your naturalization will be discovered.

1. Will my workplace find out while I'm in the naturalization application process?

When applying for naturalization, you will be required to submit various documents. Among the required documents is a "Certificate of Employment and Salary," which certifies your company, period of employment, salary, tax amount, etc.When you ask a company to prepare a "Certificate of Attendance and Salary", the person in charge willYou will realize that.
This document isSince 2003, it is no longer necessary to submitInstead, you will be required to present the previous month's salary certificate (original) and employee ID card (original).
for that reason,There is no longer a chance that your workplace will find out about your naturalization applicationIf you're worried about your workplace finding out, don't worry.

In addition, since procedures and systems change from time to time, if you want to avoid people finding out that you are "applying for naturalization," you should consult with the Legal Affairs Bureau and tell them what you don't want people around you or your company or workplace to know.Inform the legal affairs bureau staff in advanceIs recommended.

②What is the biggest reason why naturalization is discovered?

The biggest reason why naturalization is discovered is,"Family register"で す.
When naturalizing, a new family register is created as a Japanese citizen.Information to be recorded in the family registerIt is recorded that he was naturalized as a Japanese national.This information will not be removed.
If you look at your family register, you can see that you have naturalized.
However,Can be obfuscated on the surfaceWe'll show you how to do this later in this column.

3) People may guess that you have naturalized based on your name.

When you naturalize, you will be able to have a Japanese name. For example,If a Korean or Chinese resident of Japan chooses a name that is often given to them when they naturalize in Japan, from its name"Is this person a naturalized citizen?"You may be suspected of this.
However, unless you are someone who is sensitive to the differences between foreigners (especially Koreans and Chinese living in Japan) and Japanese people, you are unlikely to be suspected or noticed.

2. How can I make sure my naturalization isn’t discovered (or isn’t easily discovered)?

As mentioned above, "your naturalization may be discovered by looking at your family register, which will state that you have naturalized, but we will now discuss ways to prevent your naturalization from being discovered even if you look at your family register."
How to prevent your naturalization from being revealed through your family registerTo theTransfer" and "Separated from family registerThere are two ways to do this:

▼ How to hide your naturalization ① Transfer

First,"Transfer"Let me explain.
"Transfer" is simply "moving your permanent domicile"..
The procedure itself is not complicated. When you move, you simply change your registered domicile to your new address.

Even if the family register before the transfer records the fact that you have naturalized, the family register created after the transfer will not record the fact that you have naturalized.
If you transfer, it will no longer be obvious from the outside that you were a resident in Japan or that you have naturalized..

However, you cannot view all family registers created after naturalization.Procedurally possibleBecauseIf you trace back through the family register, you will always find evidence of naturalization.This is something to be careful about.

▼ How to hide your naturalization ② Separation of family registry

If you are a person other than the head of the family register or your spouse and have reached the age of majority (20 years old in Japan, 2022 years old from April 4, 1),Create a new family register for yourself, separate from your current oneThis is what you can do.Separated from family register".
In this case, the fact of naturalization will not be recorded, so it will be difficult to tell on the surface that you have naturalized, and it will be possible to avoid discovering that you are a foreigner or a Korean resident of Japan.
However,Once you separate, you can never get it back.So be careful.
For details, please check with the local government office in your area.

3. When will it be revealed that you have naturalized?

When will it be "discovered" that a foreigner/Korean resident in Japan has naturalized??
It was mentioned in 2When a "family register copy" is required for some procedure, we can think of it as.

▼What procedures require a copy of your family register?

If your naturalization is discovered, it will mainly beFamily registerBut specifically,When and how to obtain a certified copy of your family registerWhat kind of things are there?

[Major situations in which a certified copy of your family register is required]

• -When you get married
• -Applying for a passport
• -Pension claim
• -Life Insurance Claims
• -Making a will
• -Inheritance procedures

In the above situations, a certified copy of your family register is required.You can see that you have naturalized by looking at your family registerIt looks like

▼ If I transfer or separate my family register just before getting married, will I be suspected of being a resident of Japan?

If a family register is transferred or separated just before the above procedures, the timing may lead to questions such as "Is this person a foreigner/Korean resident in Japan?" or "Does he or she have something from the past that they want to hide?"SuspectedThere is something to be said. Because,Transfers and separations of family registers are "resetting" or "cleaning up" the family registerAnd so on.Some people think it's something you do when you have something to feel guilty about.It is.
For example, if you transfer or separate your family register just before getting married so that your naturalization is not revealed in the family register, you may feel guilty or have a past that you want to erase.There may be doubts.
Even today, there seem to be many older people who are reluctant to have their family members marry foreigners or Korean residents in Japan, and depending on the age group and region, there are some who still have strong resistance.

for that reason,After applying for naturalization, it is a good idea to keep your family register separate.It will be.
If someone asks you why, just give a simple reason such as, "Because I want to become completely independent and self-reliant from my parents."

▼ Beware of cases where only you have naturalized and your parents have not.

Even if you are the only one who has naturalized and transferred or separated your family registry,The names of the parents are recorded in the family register.Even if you are the only one who has naturalized and has a Japanese name,Parents' names are foreign names such as Chinese or Korean namesEven if this is the case, your naturalized status will still be revealed, so please be careful.
In preparation for such a case,It is best for the whole family to apply for naturalization together.It seems.

"I want to naturalize, but can I apply?""Do I meet the conditions?If you are at a loss, by all means,Climb Immigration Lawyer OfficePlease consult