chuckers wrote:
> On Aug 24, 6:28 pm, The 2-Belo <the2b...@msd.bigREMOVETHISlobe.ne.jp>
> wrote:
>> We have a report from the fj.life.in-japan Dynamics Officer that
>> mtfes...@netMAPSONscape.net has exploded. Flight director confirms that:
>>> The 2-Belo <the2b...@msd.bigremovethislobe.ne.jp> wrote:
>>>> We have a report from the fj.life.in-japan Dynamics Officer that
>>>> mtfes...@netMAPSONscape.net has exploded. Flight director confirms that:
>>>>> The 2-Belo <the2b...@msd.bigremovethislobe.ne.jp> wrote:
>>>>>> We have a report from the fj.life.in-japan Dynamics Officer that
>>>>>> mtfes...@netMAPSONscape.net has exploded. Flight director confirms that:

>>>>>>> Remember to always enter the US under your US passport, however.
>>>>>> This has always gotten me confused. If the Japanese immigration guy stamps your
>>>>>> Japanese passport when you leave, and the American immigration guy stamps your
>>>>>> US passport when you enter the US, then what do you tell the Japanese
>>>>>> immigration guy when you come back home again and there's absolutely nothing in
>>>>>> your Japanese passport that shows where you've been? "Uh, sir, I stamped you
>>>>>> out, but where did you go? The International Space Station?"
>>>>> According to the people who've done this, the US customs agents are usually
>>>>> happy to stamp both passports.
>>>> Heh. Watch, someday I'll naturalize, and the next time I go to the US, I get the
>>>> customs agent to which "usually" does not apply.
>>>> And I wonder what happens when you're in the baggage claim waiting for your
>>>> suitcase with LET'S HAPPY TRIP printed on the side, and you suddenly think "OMG
>>>> I FORGOT TO STAMP BOTH."
>>> Just checked with (one of) my daughter. She shows the US passport, and asks
>>> them to stamp the Japanese.
>> Good to know. Thanks for the tip. In the event I am someday able to convince the
>> wife that naturalization is a good idea...
>>
> 
> What does naturalization have over, say, permanent residency? The 
> right to vote is one thing that springs to mind but if/when the DPJ
> comes to power this time next week, foreigners might get the right to
> vote anyway, at least at the local level.

You're forgetting the golden opportunity to pay more taxes.  Once you're 
a citizen, all of your overseas income and property becomes taxable in 
Japan.  If you were a burger flipper in Gaikoku and never had any real 
property or other possessions, then there will be little change.  But, 
if mommy and daddy left you the family manse, their 20,000 shares of 
Xerox, and the family cabin on The Lake, you'll get to pay Japanese 
taxes on these items from now on.  As I understand it, the tax treaties 
that allow you to pay tax only in Japan or your home country only apply 
to income taxes ... double taxation on everything else is okay.

> Oh, you won't have to carry your gaijin card, I suppose but I don't 
> consider that to be particularly onerous. Any non-Asian would have to
> convince the local PD that you don't need a gaijin card because you
> aren't gaijin whenever they roust you, which, according to Debito,
> HAPPENS EVERYDAY SO LETS ALL SING "WE SHALL OVERCOME!"

I really hate the daily truncheon beatings but have come to expect them 
as a small price to pay for the right to live in Paradise.  And, after 
you live here for a while, you can arrange a specific time for your 
beating.  I like that convenience.  When you live in a small town like I 
do, the two cops know who you are and have endearing names for you like 
"Ano gaijin ..." and the Kenkei guys know a safe place on the main to 
pull you over for your Driving While White license check.

> You will soon be listed in the Juminhyou, once the recently passed law
> goes into effect.

Before or after the family pets?  I always liked that ""Dogs," "Cats," 
"Other Pets," "Gaijin, Notes and Other Comments"" organization.  It gave 
you an easy way to find your name, down at the bottom left corner of the 
document.  Sort of reassuring in its own little way.

> The only other advantage I have heard was that Japanese citizens are 
> perhaps better liked than certain other countries so getting visa (or
> even being able to go without a visa) to travel to various places is
> easier with a Japanese passport than some other types of passports.

Yeah, but part of that is based upon appearance.  And also, some places 
like Japanese tourists better because they're easier to fleece than 
people from other countries.

> Am I missing anything?  I am sure my wife would throttle me if I ever
> got it into my head that I ought to naturalise to Japanese.

If I ever mentioned naturalization, I am sure I'd be bundled into a 
straitjacket and hauled to the local mental health (sic) center.

-- 
CL