Naomi Osaka makes the big decision: Will continue to represent Japan, gives up US citizenship

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Japanese law states that people with dual citizenship have to choose just one before turning 22. Six days prior to her birthday on October 16th, 21-year-old Naomi Osaka made public one of the biggest decisions in her life: the player with dual citizenship by virtue of spending most of her life in the United States while being born in Osaka, Japan, to a mother from Japan and a father from Haiti, will give up her US citizenship and represent Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Naomi Osaka

The two-time Grand Slam champion is very popular in Japan and it would’ve been a great disappointment for the nation had she chosen to represent the USA.

“It is a special feeling to aim for the Olympics as a representative of Japan,” Osaka told Japanese broadcaster NHK. “I think that playing with the pride of the country will make me feel more emotional.”

The former world No.1 Osaka has started proceedings to obtain Japanese citizenship. (source: BBC)

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