chuckers <chuckersjp@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 21, 12:49 pm, mtfes...@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
> > chuckers <chucker...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > On Aug 21, 10:27 am, The 2-Belo <the2b...@msd.bigREMOVETHISlobe.ne.jp>
> > > Since he is proud of the fact that he has Japanese citizen ship now,
> > > he may not have
> > > a place to go back to without re-immigrating.  Assuming, of course, he
> > > gave up his
> > > US citizenship rather than trying to do dual citizenship (which
> > > probably wouldn't be allowed for him.)
> >
> > Why not?
> >

> I was assuming that he actually followed the letter of the Japanese
> law which states
> that he needs to choose his citizenship within 2 years of
> naturalisation as Japan
> does not recognise dual citizenship.  The US will ignore duality but
> Japan makes you
> choose and apparently insists you renounce your previous nationality
> with official paperwork
> and stuff.

> http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji06.html

> Looks like he might have weasled it and kept is US passport.  That, of
> course,
> puts him at risk for losing his Japanese nationality.  Of course, he
> might also weasle it
> and say "I tried to give up my US citizenship but they wouldn't let me
> for tax reasons"
> which may be enough.

OK, that's what I thought.

The US recognizes the concept of renunciation under duress. So, even if you
renounce your US citizenship, you can retain it, if you contact the US
embassy and explain the situation. Remember to always enter the US under your
US passport, however. Failure to do so can be considered a de facto renunciation
in that case.

In point of fact, Japan cannot prevent dual citizenship. Some nations do 
not recognize renunciation (France and S Korea used to be that way, but
there are undoubtedly more), so if you naturalize in Japan, or are also
born a Japanese citizen (international marriage), you're a dual citizen
no matter what Japan sez.

Mike