Japan is an ancient country with an exciting history. It is also a world leader in many avenues. Immigrants who wish to establish citizenship in Japan should know that the procedure can be time consuming — up to a year or more. You will need to establish residence in Japan for five years before even beginning the formal application process. However, the percentage of applicants who are approved for citizenship is very high. About 90% of those who apply are granted Japanese citizenship. There are also alternate methods to become a Japanese citizen for individuals who can show that they were born in Japan or that one or both of your parents was Japanese.