TK's Nationality

[SamIAm]

Does anyone know why TK gave up his Taiwan citizenship and travels on a Japanese passport? Interesting considering that he's only 1/4 Japanese.

[Webmaster]

A Japan passport is more recgonizable? (check my spelling Dilbar) I'm just saying.

Takeshi has always been a citizen to Japan even when he was in Taiwan as far as I know.... he's been holding a Japan passport.

[Dilbar]

recgonizable = recognizable

(I know that one was on purpose)

DILBAR

[Dilbar]

Guest-SamIAm said:

Does anyone know why TK gave up his Taiwan citizenship and travels on a Japanese passport? Interesting considering that he's only 1/4 Japanese.

Takeshi holding a Japanese passport probably has something to do with Taiwan’s draft. Taiwan has a mandatory military service for males. As a Japanese national he was probably except from service.

[murasakibara]

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I understand he has many close Japanese friends from his school days living in Japan. He has a hone in Taipei but still chooses to live in Japan.

[Webmaster]

Dilbar said:

Takeshi holding a Japanese passport probably has something to do with Taiwan’s draft. Taiwan has a mandatory military service for males. As a Japanese national he was probably except from service.

Good point Dilbar. Lots of Korean boys do that too so I wouldn't be surprised if that's the reason TK chose to have a Japan passport

[SamIAm]

Interesting that Japan would issue a passport to someone who's not fully Japanese or born on Japanese soil. Second, I'm sure TK could have obtained an exemption to the draft. Can anyone verify if other male Taiwanese entertainers actually served or managed to evade the draft?

[Dilbar]

Guest-SamIAm said:

Interesting that Japan would issue a passport to someone who's not fully Japanese or born on Japanese soil. Second, I'm sure TK could have obtained an exemption to the draft. Can anyone verify if other male Taiwanese entertainers actually served or managed to evade the draft?

Loads of actors & singers evade the draft by claiming medical problems, etc... As long as there is money there is a way around these things. I know people who have left Taiwan just before High School and came to the States to finish their education just to avoid military service.

I'm trying to think of the name of the actor that appears in School Days, Forever Friends, & No Sir! with Takeshi...WM will know the answer to this one. He did his 2 years in the service and his career never really recovered. (See, I cant even remember his name anymore)

As far as the passport is concerned, Takeshi's father can apply for him. Same as in the States. If one of your parents is a citizen you can apply for citizenship as well.

[Dilbar]

This Guy: Jimmy Lin Zhi Ying


WM will have to fill you in on the other Draft Dodgers, as I'm sure there are many.

[Webmaster]

Dilbar said:

As far as the passport is concerned, Takeshi's father can apply for him. Same as in the States. If one of your parents is a citizen you can apply for citizenship as well.

Yep. If one of your parents is a citizen you can get one too.

Don't get me started, Dilbar. I know about a dozen and a half of them draft dodgers but this is the Takeshi board?

[x-aka]

hihi,

Regarding the question on Takeshi's nationality, here is my own understanding. Hopefully it will help to clear some doubts for anyone who is having it...

Ever since Takeshi started his artiste career in Taiwan (abt late 1992), his nationality had been a 'debate'. Taiwan & Hong Kong pple see him as Japanese, Japanese see him as Taiwanese, Westerners are confused about his identity.

In actual fact, he was born, had studied in Amercian School & Japanese School (located at Tien Mu) and grew up in Taipei. He went to Japan for the 1st time only when he was 17-18 years old. In the past, when media asks him about his nationality, he will always reply something in this context, "I holds a Japan passport but grew up in Taiwan."

He started 'living' in Japan because his job opportunities brought him there. He took part in his 1st japanese movie called "Misty" and followed by the famous japanese drama, "Kami sama, mou sukoshi dake" and followed by many more projects like "2000 Nien no Koi", "Golden Bowl", "Space Travellers", "Returner" & CMs, etc.

Even certain magazines or companies from Taiwan decided to fly their production team to Japan or collaborate with Takeshi's usual team for magazine cover interviews & CFs. Thus Takeshi can continue to stay & work in Japan for the past few years.

So far, only during festive seasons (like New Year) or off-peak periods (usually secret trips) , then will hear 'vague' news that Takeshi goes back to Taipei to visit his parents.

Otherwise, for Takeshi to appear in public @ Taiwan or Hong Kong, it would be important events like certain movie or music award ceremony & promotion events for his works.

I shall stop here for now. Hope it is not confusing to anyone... hehe

[Hiroko]

I thought it 's becoz his father is Japanees...is his father from Okinawa?

[x-aka]

Hi Hiroko,

Regarding your question, mainly because Takeshi's father is a japanese and thus Takeshi's nationality follows and thus holds a japan passport.

And once I read from somewhere that Takeshi BELIEVES that his origin should be Okinawa because "Kaneshiro", is an Okinawa surname. But so far, I dun recall Takeshi mentioning that his father came from Okinawa.

Hope this answers your question.

[Swellboy]

I think it's great how TK is a blend of nationalities. Makes him all the more interesting. It makes sense, practically speaking, that he would hold Japanese citizenship because of his father being a citizen of that country. (I've thought of someday applying for British citizenship b/c of my dad still holding citizenship there-- but I'm not sure if I still can do that.) Also, hey, if his work opportunities were initially largely through Japan, and still are, then I'd do the same as him too if I were in his shoes. As for TK possibly evading the draft in Taiwan, well, I have my own thoughts on that. But, this isn't a forum where I care to participate in political discussions.

[MissCarlos]

He's secretly Canadian but he just doesn't want everyone to know. He's a beautiful Asian mix and he was born here.

Nono. We all know that isn't true, that he was born in Canada.