On Jul 5, 10:22 am, Scott Reynolds <scottr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> mtfes...@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
> > Scott Reynolds <scottr...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> I'm curious about the practical aspects when traveling internationally.
> >> If the Japanese immigration people see that you seem to be using two
> >> passports, what will they do? For example, if you enter Japan on a
> >> flight from Gaikoku but don't have an exit stamp from the country you
> >> just left in you Japanese passport, I would imagine it might arouse
> >> suspicion.
>
> > You seriously cannot imagine the indifference of the Japanese
> > immigration agents on that point.
>
> I can imagine it, but I would not want to bank on something imaginary if
> the consequences of being wrong could be serious. <g> In my son's case,
> it would be nice to remain a dual citizen and have the option of working
> or studying in the US at some future date without having to deal with
> visa hassles. But he really does need to keep his Japanese citizenship,
> since Japan is where he lives. And it is the Japanese government that
> threatens to revoke his citizenship if he has two passports, not the US
> government.
>
> >> I wonder about this not for my own sake, since I have no intention of
> >> applying for Japanese citizenship, but for my son, who is a dual
> >> (Japan-US) citizen. In a few years he will reach the magic age of 22, by
> >> which time he is supposed to declare a choice. I see no reason for him
> >> to renounce his US citizenship, but I wouldn't want him to get into hot
> >> water for having (and using) two passports, either.
>
> >> Does anyone out there have any insights?
>
> > According to US law, even if you are required to renounce your US
> > citizenship, you can still retain it. The US would consider such to be
> > renunciation under duress. Simply go to the US embassy and explain the
> > situation, and they can help you out; even with the renunciation, he can
> > get a new passport, and retain citizenship. (To be ultra safe, discuss
> > this with them beforehand, if it looks as if a renunciation is looming.)
>
> I know about this part (how to deal with the US side), but I do
> appreciate the confirmation. As I mentioned above, it is not the US side
> that I am concerned about.
>
> > As always, make certain to always enter the US on your US passport
> > afterwards; otherwise, this can be considered a renunciation of choice.
> > And, of course, file a tax return each year :-)
>
> Oh, yes. Wouldn't want to forget that!
>
> --
> _______________________________________________________________
> Scott Reynolds                              scottr...@gmail.com

Hmmm.  It has changed on the US side, it seems, in the last few years.

http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_778.html

note the paragraph:
Dual nationality can occur as the result of a variety of
circumstances. The automatic acquisition or retention of a foreign
nationality, acquired, for example, by birth in a foreign country or
through an alien parent, does not affect U.S. citizenship. It is
prudent, however, to check with authorities of the other country to
see if dual nationality is permissible under local law. Dual
nationality can also occur when a person is naturalized in a foreign
state without intending to relinquish U.S. nationality and is
thereafter found not to have lost U.S. citizenship the individual
consequently may possess dual nationality. While recognizing the
existence of dual nationality and permitting Americans to have other
nationalities, the U.S. Government does not endorse dual nationality
as a matter of policy because of the problems which it may cause.
Claims of other countries upon dual-national U.S. citizens often place
them in situations where their obligation to one country are in
conflict with the laws of the other. In addition, their dual
nationality may hamper efforts to provide U.S. diplomatic and consular
protection to them when they are abroad.

So the ball does seem to be on the side of the Japanese authorities.

reynolds-sensei.  I had hoped you would have sorted this out by now.

regards,