RSM Shiodome Partners AS Co. (formerly Nakai Immigration Services), in 2018, had the honor of supporting former professional baseball player and manager Alex Ramírez in his application for Japanese nationality (naturalization).

Mr. Ramírez, originally from Venezuela, built a remarkable legacy in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He is the only foreign player in Japanese baseball history to reach 2,000 career hits, earning his place in the Meikyukai (Golden Players Club). He won two MVP awards, claimed numerous batting titles, and holds the extraordinary record of eight consecutive seasons with 100+ RBIs. In 2023, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the most influential foreign players in NPB history.

Deeply loved by fans both as a player and a manager, Mr. Ramírez decided to pursue Japanese nationality in order to make Japan the lifelong center of his activities. Our firm provided full end-to-end support to help him realize this long-held dream through the naturalization application process.

Our Services for Naturalization and Immigration Applications

Applying for naturalization (acquiring Japanese nationality) is a major life decision for many foreign nationals, and the process is both complex and highly specialized. For high-profile individuals, the requirements become even more stringent. Accuracy of documentation, clear demonstration of one’s life foundation in Japan, and evidence of sustained ties to Japanese society all demand thorough preparation.

Recent news coverage has highlighted a tightening of certain requirements, and applicants must stay informed about ongoing legal revisions.

Our firm provides comprehensive, one-stop support for the entire process, including:

  • Assistance with preparing naturalization application documents
  • Support in obtaining required certificates and records
  • Accompanying clients to the Legal Affairs Bureau
  • Translation of foreign-language documents
  • Liaison and communication with the Legal Affairs Bureau during screening
  • Post-approval support, such as obtaining family registry documents
  • Legal advice related to naturalization

Explanations and document reviews were conducted for Mr. Ramírez in both English and Spanish, guaranteeing his ability to proceed with assurance and free from linguistic barriers.

RSM Shiodome Partners AS Co. is a highly specialized administrative law firm with deep expertise in immigration and related procedures, including visa applications, permanent residency, and naturalization.

Our past clients include:

  • Professional athletes
  • Entertainers
  • VTubers
  • Artists
  • Religious professionals
  • Attorneys
  • Chefs and pâtissiers
  • University professors and researchers
  • Members of the media
  • Executives of foreign-owned and Japanese companies
  • Foreign nationals working at Japanese companies
  • Nikkei (people of Japanese descent overseas)
  • Ukrainian refugees
  • International students

Through these cases, we have built extensive knowledge in supporting international talent and helping them thrive in Japan.

Among all of these, Mr. Ramírez’s case is especially symbolic. It represents a meaningful achievement in supporting someone who wished to “begin a new chapter of life in Japan” and reflects our commitment to enabling such aspirations through accurate and reliable administrative support.

This publication has been released with Mr. Ramírez’s express permission. Even years after the 2018 naturalization application, we continue to maintain a close relationship and have engaged in ongoing discussions about potential business collaboration.

Our Services for Naturalization and Immigration Applications

We remain committed to providing specialized support for nationality acquisition (naturalization), visa applications, and permanent residency applications for:

  • Foreign professionals who wish to build their career in Japan
  • Individuals active in sports, entertainment, and related fields
  • Companies and organizations hiring or receiving foreign talent

While valuing our relationship with Mr. Ramírez, we look forward to creating new opportunities for cooperation and developing new forms of support for foreign nationals pursuing success in Japan.

Acquiring nationality or changing one’s residency status represents a major life milestone. Our mission is to stand beside clients at these pivotal moments, alleviate the uncertainty surrounding the procedures, and continue delivering high-quality, reliable support.