Selection of Japanese Nationality
QUESTION #1
My name is Toshi Santos Tashiro, born on March 30th, 1996 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa. I have my expired Japanese passport and koseki-tohon with me, but I am having trouble renewing my Japanese passport here in the Philippines because last 2008 when I came back here, my mom changed my last name to hers. Ever since then I have been using the name Toshi Evangelito Camilo. All my school records here are in that name. I recently also found out that my mom used a different name when she went to Japan. And my mom also late registered me here in Philippines that’s why I have a birth certificate from NSO that has a different/wrong information from my koseki-tohon.
When I visited the Japanese Embassy/DFA and inquired them the process on how to do it, they first wanted me to fix all the wrong information in my Philippine birth certificate. As you can see, my name in my koseki-tohon is Toshi Santos Tashiro. And the name I’m using here in the Philippines is Toshi Evangelito Camilo. My mom’s name is also different. And in my birth certificate, what is written in my father’s name is N/A. The place of birth in my birth certificate is in the Philippines not in Japan. They also wanted me to get that fixed. In addition to this, they told me that I need to get a lawyer and fix it through court. What the Japan Embassy/DFA told me is that I need to delay the registration report of my birth at the DFA and the requirements are “Shussei Todoke No Kisai Jiko Shomeisho (the items-mentioned certificate of a birth certifice in English)”, “Boshi techo (a maternity record book in English)” and “Koseki-Tohon”. I already have my koseki-tohon. How can I get the other two documents? They said that my mom should have her Boshi Techo but I think my mom already lost that paper.
– Toshi
ANSWER #1
According to your family register, you were born in Japan as a “legitimate child,” and acquired Japanese nationality simultaneously with your birth. Then, there is no relation to the acquisition or loss of the Japanese nationality even if your parents had divorced after your birth and your mother carried out the late registration of your birth in the Philippines. However, you would lose your Japanese nationality when you had chosen the Filipino nationality since you would like to acquire the Filipino nationality after you would have abandoned the Japanese nationality by the time of 22 years old. Therefore, you better and should check with the government of both countries about this point. Especially, while you should ask and request to obtain these documents (“Shussei Todoke no Kisai Jiko Shomeisho (the items-mentioned certificate of a birth certifice in English)”, “Boshi techo (a maternity record book in English)”, and “Koseki Tohon”)to the municipal office in Japan directly through your Japanese father after you would explain your present situation, you must correct these discrepancies on your birth certificate through the Regional Trial Court.
QUESTION #2
I was born in Higashi-Matsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. When I was one year old, my parents decided to divorce. My mother brought me here in Philippines without a dual citizenship. I have my old koseki-tohon and old Japanese passport with me. Now that I am 20 years old, I want to live in Japan and work. I want to apply for the Control and Refugee Recognition but I don’t know anyone who can help me get my current koseki-tohon since I don’t have communication with my father. Can I still apply for the Control and Refugee Recognition if my koseki-tohon is from 2002? Is it possible for me to live in Japan?
– Anonymous
ANSWER #2
According to the copy of koseki-tohon, as of February 19, 2002 issued by the Mayor of Kumagaya City, each of the following facts (your father’s identification, children’s identification between your father and mother and other information) are admitted. As you have already understood it, you acquired Japanese nationality simultaneously with birth, and possess it still now according to the copy of a family register. Therefore, you will be delivered your Japanese passport newly if you are possible to present and attach the family register within three months, which would be issued by the Mayor of Kumagaya City and the old passport at the time of the issuance application of a Japanese passport at the Japanese Embassy in Manila. When going back to Japan, you may use this Japanese passport. Of course, it is not necessary to acquire a visa since you are a Japanese. Then, if you have now dual nationality of the Philippines and Japan, it is obligatory to submit the notice that you will choose which nationality to the Legislative Bureau, Ministry of Justice or Embassy in Manila by the time you would be 22 years old.
For your information: A koseki-tohon is impossible to acquire at the Japanese Embassy in Manila. You can obtain it only if you yourself request it directly to Kumagaya City office. Or you can ask me to do it if you pay for the necessary expenses (20,000 yen per one case). An issuance commission is just 450 yen. When you carry it out, you must enclose the envelope for international mail, which stuck the stamp for a round trip. In that case, you should attach this copy of a family register and passport with your letter, which you do want, get a copy of a family register in English.
The address of the Kumagaya City office is:
Postal code No.: 360-8601
Address: 2-47-1, Miya-cho, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama-ken
Section: Shiminka Kanri
Telephone No.: 048-524-1111
Fax No.: 048-520-2870
QUESTION #3
Hello, I’m Mitubelle Failaman. I’m half-Japanese and half-Filipino. I was born and raised here in the Philippines. I was acknowledged by my father, but is there any privilege that I can get from the Japanese government like allowances? Because I didn’t receive any of it since I was born. I’m now 18 years old and I’m afraid that I might stop schooling due to poverty and financial problems. Can I have dual nationality? Is it possible for me to have koseki-tohon?
– Mitubelle Failaman
ANSWER #3
You have no privilege unless your Japanese father would recognize you based on the Japanese Civil Code/Registration Law and would grant the application for acquisition of Japanese nationality. Because, you are not yet a Japanese even if you were acknowledged by your Japanese father based on the Philippine Family Law. You may inquire at the Japanese Embassy/Consulate on how to do it.
Office name: Miyoshi International Legal Counsel Office
Telephone/Fax (Japanese/English): 090-1436-4107(Mobile phone)
E-mail: miyoshi@ipcworld.co.jp or joshua-galasha@mvg.biglobe.ne.jp (Japanese/English) OR p-digest@ipcworld.co.jp(English/Tagalog)
Website: www.phildigest.jp
Nearest station: Keio Nagayama by Keio line or Odakyu Nagayama by Odakyu line in Tama-city, Tokyo
Working hour/day: 09:00-18:00/Monday-Saturday (except holidays)