Chris Kern wrote:

> Sorry if I came off as confrontational -- that was intended to be an
> honest question, not a challenge.  I know nothing about obtaining
> Japanese citizenship, so I was just wondering if you felt that you had
> an advantage.

No. While on the JET Program about nine years ago I thought I'd make it
easier for myself, and try to get one of those new Japanese ethnicity
visas. The Japanese Consulate in Honolulu told me I'd have to present
documentation proving my ancestors came from Japan, as well as find a
relative in Japan to sponsor me. Since the last contact with Japan was my
late grandfather's female cousin, whom no one else has ever met, and no one
else knows about, I gave up on that idea.

In the eyes of the Japanese government, there is no evidence I am of
Japanese descent or have ancestors from Japan, nor am I allowed to use
kanji (which exist) for my name on government documents. Actually all my
legal documents seem to have my name written in all caps English, not even
katakana.

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