Taking Steps to Discover my Japanese Heritage
So since I last updated regarding this, I took a few steps.
I emailed the consulate in Hawaii to see if they had any direct records regarding my family history. After research I found that sometimes families would report the births to the consulate but not know they had to also notify the municipality of the birth, this resulted in some families missing a step.
I sent all my identifying information, birth certificates, passports and what not.
and now I am waiting
So what hopes do I have by doing this well if my great-grandfather reported his chidlren’s birth to the consulate there is a chance they consulate did not report those births to Japan. BUT if they are reported to the consulate this helps me identify my grandparents Japanese by Blood right or might make it easier to have their deaths reported on the Koseki Tohon.
Now that sounds morbid and to a degree it definitely is but it’s something that might help us in the long term future.
You see currently Japan does not acknowledge Dual Citizenship so it won’t help us there but if the law ever changes to accept dual citizens then we may have the upper hand in that situation. But what it can do for us now is possibly provide us with “Long Term Resident Visas” which have no restrictions and essentially state we can be here to the level similar to that of a Permanent Resident.
So I think definitely worth it for us to do. And like I said if there is an option for Dual Citizenship down the road, then perhaps we will qualify for that as well. I am hoping something comes of either my grandfathers or grandmothers records that can help us.
I do like that fact that in Japan, if someone was recorded then they base it off of that. So almost a black and white situation in some sorts. So having something will definitely help us make things easier. I think that coupled with the letters from our cousins verifying the relationship, we shouldn’t have too much of an issue.
In any case I am waiting to see what is to be found, if anything. In the USA Monday is a holiday so I’m going to assume that they won’t be open. And I’ve submitted the request about 3 days ago so I’m not expecting any results for at least another 2 weeks.
BUT i’ll keep you all posted.
Until the next one.
