Japan Court Upholds Ban On Dual Citizenship
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published January 21, 2021 | 12:26 PM
A Japanese court upheld a ban on dual citizenship on Thursday, rejecting a suit that challenged the measure's constitutionality and sought damages for those affected
Tokyo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2021 ) :A Japanese court upheld a ban on dual citizenship on Thursday, rejecting a suit that challenged the measure's constitutionality and sought damages for those affected.
Japan is one of around 50 countries internationally, including China and South Korea, that only permits its citizens to hold one nationality.
Under current rules, Japanese people who acquire another passport are asked to relinquish their Japanese citizenship, but in 2018 eight plaintiffs started legal proceedings, arguing the rule was unconstitutional.
One of them, Hitoshi Nogawa, has told reporters that being forced to give up his nationality was a "painful experience." "I obtained Swiss nationality because my job requires it, but I'm emotionally attached to Japan and this is the foundation of my identity," the Asahi Shimbun newspaper quoted him as saying.
The plaintiffs are six men who have already obtained Swiss or Liechtenstein citizenship, and two Japanese men who want to obtain foreign citizenship without losing their Japanese passports, local media said.
They argued that the rule was a violation of the constitution's right to pursue happiness and protection of equality under the law.
But on Thursday, the Tokyo district court rejected their suit and request for damages, a spokesman said, upholding the constitutionality of the rule.
The government argued there was no national interest in permitting multiple citizenships, Kyodo news agency reported.
The issue was thrust into the spotlight with the rise to fame of tennis star Naomi Osaka, who was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian father but raised in the United States.
Osaka had dual citizenship but under Japanese law was technically required to choose one nationality when she turned 22, though authorities in Japan have been known to turn a blind eye to dual nationals in some circumstances.
The 23-year-old announced in 2019 that she would be renouncing her US citizenship.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 27 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 27 April 2024
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
More Stories From World
-
Haliburton hits winner as Pacers hold off Bucks in overtime, Mavs thump Clippers
54 minutes ago -
'Everyone sits out': Yangon parks offer heatwave relief
54 minutes ago -
6,000 French police to welcome Olympic torch amid bonus boost
1 hour ago -
Golf: LPGA LA Championship scores
1 hour ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - collated
2 hours ago -
PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
2 hours ago
-
Sudanese filmmakers shine light on war's 'silent problems'
2 hours ago -
NFL will allow players to wear Guardian Cap helmets in games
8 hours ago -
Football: German Bundesliga table
8 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
8 hours ago -
Football: German Bundesliga results
8 hours ago -
US troops to leave Chad in second African state withdrawal
8 hours ago