3 July 2009 (11 Tamuz 5769)
About a few years ago I received Israeli nationality automatically according to the "Law of Return". Since I did not apply for it, I hoped that I would be able to retain my Japanese nationality, though Japan does not allow dual nationality. I turned out to be totally wrong. This week I went to the Embassy of Japan in Tel Aviv to renew my Japanese passport. When I explained to them - I preferred not to tell a lie as I thought that they would find it sooner or later - how I acquired Israeli nationality, they were ready to accept my application to renew my passport. On the following day, however, I received a phone call from them telling me that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, whom they consulted in the meanwhile, does not allow this. It follows that in official terms I lost my Japanese nationality retroactively on the day when I was offered Israeli nationality. In practical terms I lost it this week as I am left with no Japanese passport now and cannot renew it any more.
I am really sorry that Japan still remains among an every decreasing number of countries that do not allow dual nationality. For me nationality is something like a piece of paper. There is nothing sacred in it, nor should one nationality preclude another. Having lived in Israel for a number of years, I have seen many people with dual, triple or sometimes even quadruple nationality. In this era of globalization more and more people find themselves settled in countries other than where they were born. Then it will be natural for them to want to obtain the nationality of the country of their residence in order to be full-fledged citizens, while retaining the nationality of the country of their origin for symbolic and practical reasons. The majority of politicians in Japan still seem to consider nationality differently.
The only practical ramification of this loss I can think of now is that from now on I have to enter Japan legally as a foreigner, which sounds rather ridiculous. But I feel somewhat relieved now as I always felt as if I were trying to "dance at two weddings" at the same time. I also feel more reconciled with myself. I have experienced some significant changes with far-reaching consequences in my later life. This loss will definitely affect my life both symbolically and practically. Do I feel sorry? Not necessarily. Now I feel more determined to concentrate on my project to firmly establish my life here and try my best to make some humble contribution to the country that has accepted me. I am proud of being an Israeli Jew who does not keep any "security insurance" called non-Israeli citizenship as well.