Takumi and Leiya have dual citizenship. They were born in Japan and through Tetsu of course they have Japanese citizenship but because of my American citizenship and because I made the effort to register them, they also were entitled to American citizenship. This worked out very well for both children because neither had any problems when going to America in their teen years nor did they have any of the visa/green card rigamarole that foreign students have to work through. They were also eligible for scholarships in college and they didn't have to apply for work visas etc. after graduating from college.
However... Japan only recognizes dual citizenship up until age 22. After that point, people with two citizenships are suppose to choose and return/renounce one. America, on the other hand, and many other countries in the world, recognizes dual and even triple citizenship.
We have always known about this legal quirk but have hoped that, what with how global Japan is becoming, that the laws would change before the kids had to actually think about turning in one of their citizenships. This is sort of fudging the law because as long as they have valid Japanese passports, the Japanese government never questions nor checks up on whether a person has more than one citizenship... and a passport is good for 10 years...
Leiya's Japanese passport expires soon so she contacted the Japanese embassy in the States requesting renewal forms or something and she was questioned as to WHY she was in the States to begin with... and in the course of things the embassy became aware of her dual citizenship. And they are strongly suggesting that she choose either the Japanese (for which they hope she'll do!) or the American, because of the Japanese law...
This is still somewhat up in the air. I'm not surprised but I'd sort of hoped that she could continue in this limbo state (as is Takumi, as are other friends' children who have dual citizenship) until Japan changes its policy because it would be a shame to turn in the citizenship and a few years down the line have duality recognized. It would not be that easy to GET the Japanese citizenship again. (Which I DON'T have, by the way. I'm happy having only American citizenship.)
The citizen issue is very interesting. About 20 years ago, I went on a mission trip (with Calvary Chapel) to Russia. Our guides were American (husband) and Russian (wife). Their children had dual citizenship until the age of 18. At that point, if they remained Russian citizens, they would have to serve in the the Russian military. Not sure if it's the same in that country today. Also, one of our sons is married to a girl from Germany. She wishes to keep her German citizenship. After their marriage, she had to show pictures of several family gatherings proving this was a legit marriage....not just a scam to stay in the US. They had several interviews regarding citizenship and also hired an immigration attorney. Patty McDonald
ReplyDeleteOh wow, what a dilemma! She is truly a "third culture" person. So much about Japan is built for Japanese citizens alone, and if you are in any way outside the system, there is a hassle, at best, and invalidation at worst. I imagine it must be an emotionally hard decision to make, too?
ReplyDeleteThese rules were put in after my kids were older, and since the US allows both, they haven't denied either. I'll have to ask Norie which she uses, as she is living here. My daughters in the states, though married, all use their Fukuda name.
ReplyDelete