As of June 1st 2017, Japanese nationals who have lived outside of Japan for 10 years or more can qualify for the Japan Rail Pass as long as the following conditions are met:
Before purchase:
You will need to provide one of following documents that proves foreign residence outside of Japan for at least 10 years at the time of purchase. This must be:
(1) Copy of your Overseas Residential Registration (在留届の写し) issued by the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where you live.
(2) Certificate of Overseas Residence (在留証明書) issued by the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where you live.
[USA, Brazil and Canada only]
(3) Permanent Resident Card (永住カード) issued by your country of residence. This is only a special case and limited to the USA, Brazil, and Canada. The date of recorded residence on the card should be at least 10 years.
For Japanese children below the age of 12.
Japanese children under 12 years old can only use the Japan Rail Pass if they are accompanied with an adult Japanese Japan Rail Pass holder. They must conform to the following rules:
1. The Overseas Residential Registration verifies that he/she lives with the child applicant and whose stay in the country is *10 consecutive years or more.
2. The child must also use the JAPAN RAIL PASS with the adult applicant.
*In case that “the date of arrival” in the overseas country is at least 10 years earlier, but “the date of acceptance“ by Japanese embassy for the Zairyutodoke is less than 10 years, than such a case does not meet the eligibility requirements.
The full regulations can be found attached pdf
We cannot issue any Japan Rail Pass exchange order unless the above conditions are met.
Exchanging in Japan: At the time of exchange in Japan, you must bring your passport, proof (as outlined above) that you have lived outside of Japan for at least 10 years, and your exchange order. Failing to bring any of these will result in the Japan Rail Pass not being issued.