1.
dual citizenship; dual nationality; the condition of holding two nationalities at once
The status of a person who legally holds the citizenship of two countries simultaneously. A frequent topic in Japan because Japanese law in principle does not allow dual nationality for adults, and individuals with two nationalities are required to choose one before a set age.
彼女は二重国籍を持っている。
She has dual citizenship.
日本は原則として二重国籍を認めていない。
Japan does not, in principle, recognize dual nationality.
二重国籍の子どもは、成人までにどちらかの国籍を選ばなければならない場合がある。
In some cases, children with dual nationality must choose one of the two citizenships by the time they reach adulthood.
Compound of 二重 ('double; two-layered') and 国籍 ('nationality; citizenship'). Refers strictly to legal citizenship status, not to ethnic or cultural identity.
USAGE:
- A common topic in news, legal commentary, and discussions of globalization.
- In Japan, the word often appears together with 容認 ('acceptance / tolerance') or 解消 ('resolution; elimination'), reflecting ongoing policy debate.
- Not a casual word — belongs to the register of newspapers, government documents, and formal conversations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 二重国籍を持つ: to hold dual citizenship
- 二重国籍を認める: to recognize dual nationality
- 二重国籍を解消する: to give up one of one's nationalities
- 二重国籍問題: the issue of dual nationality
- 二重国籍容認: acceptance of dual citizenship
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 国籍: nationality; citizenship — the basic term.
- 多重国籍: multiple nationality — holding three or more citizenships; less common.
- 帰化: naturalization — the process of acquiring a new nationality, often requiring the renunciation of the old one.
- 無国籍: stateless — the opposite situation of having no nationality at all.