Interviews
I want to restore my Japanese nationality
You know, I want to hold Japanese citizenship. I obtained Brazilian citizenship because it was necessary, so I don’t feel bad about that. If becoming a Japanese citizen means I have to give up Brazilian nationality, I may have to reconsider. But even if I restored my Japanese citizenship, I wouldn’t lose my Brazilian citizenship. I think it’s okay to have dual citizenship. But, according to Japan’s Nationality Act, if asked “will you give up your Brazilian citizenship?” I have to respond “yes”. But in reality, you don’t have to lose it. And so, I do sometimes think that when I pass away, I want to die holding Japanese citizenship.
So, when I get asked “will you live permanently in Japan?” or “Do you want to live in Japan?”, well, my life is based in Brazil and I would have to prove that I’m living in Japan. And so, I haven’t yet decided whether I’ll do that in the future, but for now, I have a strong desire to revive my Japanese citizenship.
Date: September 19, 2019
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Yoko Nishimura
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
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