Musashi wrote:

> Current Japanese law only recognizes dual-nationality status
> up ton the age of 21.
> At which time the person is suppose to make a choice.
> Does anyone know when this law came into effect?
> Is it possible that Fujimoris' Japanese nationality is being
> recognized because he was registered when
> that law did not exist?

"[Fujimori's] parents registered him with Japanese consular authorities in
Peru as an infant and he did not give it up under the 1985 citizenship law
revision"
(http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Alberto_Fujimori).

"Until 1985, Japan ignored any other nationality that a Japanese citizen
happened to be born with.  Fujimori was a bi-national before the new law and
wasn't required to officially choose the Japanese nationality and renounce
his other one. Japan "assumes" that he, and all those who were
bi/pluri-nationals before 85, did choose to be Japanese. It won't work for
those who became bi/pluri nationals after 85."
(http://www.crnjapan.com/japan_law/en/citizenship.html)

In any case, my understanding is that Japanese law can only be applied
within Japan. If a person with Japanese nationality acquires (or already
has) a second or plural nationality, that nationality can perfectly well be
recognised by another country, even if Japan doesn't recognise it. I seem to
remember talking to a colleague at work a few years ago who had taken
Japanese nationality, and was legally Japanese (and Japanese *only*) while
inside Japan, but retained his (Irish?) passport and second nationality
rights when he was outside Japan.

--
John
http://rarebooksinjapan.com