To live become a Japanes citizen, do you have to be of Japanese decent?

Question:

I heard this somewhere, and I was wondering if this is true? Or can anyone apply to be a citizen?

Answer:

for half Japanese and people who have Japanese blood-related, they can easily acquire Japanese citizenship. but for those who have none at all or even spouses of Japanese born citizen, it is very difficult to acquire. to become so, you have to pay Taxes that japanese people themselves are paying, you have to pass a examination test of their language if you are skilled to. as what one answerer said, "permanent residency" and "citizenship" only differs from the voting rights. for those who only have permanent residency visa, no one is allowed to vote during election! that's the difference.