1. The JET application which was quite complex (thanks Ms. Thomas and Dr. Campbell for all your help with this). We had to provide copies of lots of documents (i.e. passport, transcripts, diploma, etc.) and provide lots of information (i.e. essay, activities, school info, etc.)
2. Acceptance paperwork such as a health record, FBI check (criminal background check) and IRS paperwork (so we aren't taxed in the US while we're in Japan).
3. Next was the process of renouncing my Japanese citizenship...thanks to Yuriko and Etsuko for all your help because there is no way I could've done it without you because of my lack of Japanese skills (speaking, reading and writing). The process required us to:
a. contact the Japanese Consulate to find out where a copy of my koseki (family registry -document required for various processes in the Japanese government) is located.
b. My mom faxed over a copy of my latest Japanese passport to the Japanese Embassy. They couldn't easily locate the koseki so they had to contact an office in Tokyo and later found out a copy was in Mitoyo City.
c. Then I couldn't read the City of Mitoyo's website so Yuriko helped me translate and found out what we needed to do. She helped me by filling out the application for me. Etsuko helped by calling the City of Mitoyo and sending the required fee in yen and a postage stamp to put on the self-addressed stamped envelope.
d. We sent the application in. Long story short I had to write out the kanji for the address and hoped it was legible enough to get where it needed to go.
e. My mom called me to tell me that we received the koseki in the mail so I booked a bus trip home and went to the Japanese embassy to formally renounce my Japanese citizenship. The only thing I have left from my Japanese citizenship is my voided Japanese passport (from when I was nine). Many people have asked me if this was a difficult process for me but because I didn't fill out any of the paperwork (besides sign my name) I think I just went through the motions to fulfill the requirements of the JET Programme and of Japan (you have to choose your nationality if you have dual citizenship by the time you are 22 - which I was). Maybe later I'll regret it...but ironically my renouncing my Japanese citizenship will let me learn more about Japan?!
4. Today was the day to prepare for Yuki's trip to Japan. We went to Yuriko's again who filled out Yuki's koseki application so he can apply for his Japanese passport. We went to Kinko's to make copies, Walgreen's for passport pictures (he needed three sets), the post office to apply for his US passport and send off his koseki application and AAA to apply for our International Drivers Permits. Tomorrow we will go register for absentee ballots so we can vote for Obama ;-)
5. There is TONS of paperwork to read from the General Information Handbook, language materials, Fukui handbook, acceptance papers, etc. I'm sure there will only be more paperwork to read and go through once we get to Japan.
So I'm pretty tired of applications and providing documents but soon it will be over and this dream can become reality!
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