Japan Law

Dual Nationality Illegal In Japan

Outdated Japanese law is being challenged in court.

Yuri Kondo, a Japanese-born American, has filed a lawsuit in Japan challenging Article 11 of the country’s nationality law, which states that any Japanese person who gains nationality in another country shall automatically be stripped of their Japanese nationality.

Image by Edward Thomas using Canva

Kondo claims that Article 11 violates the Japanese constitution’s guarantee of the right to pursue happiness and equality.

Kondo’s challenge of Article 11 is not without precedent.

In 2021, eight individuals residing in Europe filed a similar lawsuit, which was rejected by the Tokyo District Court. That suit is currently under appeal.