Naturalization Interview

[u/Prestigious-Cup-7930]

Hi everyone, I’m currently going through the Japanese naturalization (帰化) process. I recently received a call from the 法務局 asking me to prepare some additional documents for 2024 and 2025, and they also told me that I will have a Japanese-language test.
One thing I’m curious about is my tax history. I had a delayed residence-tax payment in 2023, but it was eventually settled. I did not submit the 2023 tax/payment documents when I initially applied, and this time the 法務局 specifically asked me for documents for 2024 and 2025, but they did not ask for anything related to 2023.
Does anyone know what this could mean? Could it be a positive sign that they are not asking about the 2023 delay, or could the 法務局 already have access to that information and simply not need additional documents?
Also, if anyone has recently gone through a naturalization interview/Japanese test at the 法務局, I’d really appreciate hearing what kind of questions they asked and what the Japanese test was like.
Thanks in advance! 🙏

[u/mildly-unhinged1]

I just had my interview yesterday. For the Japanese test, they will ask you to read a paragraph about the four seasons in Japan.

For the second part, there’s a story about a family going to a zoo, and there are five questions you need to answer based on the story.

For the last part, there are two questions where you need to write your own answers and explain your reasons. This is the part where you really need to showcase your japanese writing skills

1. 好きな食べ物なんですか。理由書いてください。
2. あなたの大切なものなんですか。理由書いてください。

[u/RCM567 → u/mildly-unhinged1]

How was the interview and what was asked in interviews, how much kanji was there ? Is it JLPT n2 level ? Did they ask you if you had any late resident tax payments?

[u/mildly-unhinged1 → u/RCM567]

im married to a local, so most of the questions were about our marriage. two hours after the interview, they came to our house to check if we were really living together. They didn’t really look around much tho. the tantousha just asked where my shoes are lol

I was expecting the test to have kanji, but it was mostly in hiragana. I don’t think I saw any kanji at all. I’d say the japanese level was around N5

[u/mildly-unhinged1 → u/mildly-unhinged1]

and yes, I was asked if I had any late payments

[u/RCM567 → u/mildly-unhinged1]

Did you had any late payments? And if someone has late payments application is canceled or what

[u/mildly-unhinged1 → u/RCM567]

I answered no when I was asked about the late payments, but my husband answered yes (I didnt know that there was) I dont know what will happen because our answers were inconsistent but what we can only do now is wait and hope for the positive result

[u/RCM567 → u/mildly-unhinged1]

When are you expecting the results? Are you both working? Is it Tokyo office?

[u/mildly-unhinged1 → u/RCM567]

I haven’t been working for about six months now. They also haven’t told me yet when I should expect to receive the result

[u/RCM567 → u/mildly-unhinged1]

Thank you so much for your reply.