Overseas adoption

[bonitakitlee]

I am considering trying to adopt a Japanese child, has anyone adopted from overseas. I would be really interested to hear how you go about this process, as .y husband thinks this is not possible.

Why Japan specifically OP?

I thought Japan won’t do International adoptions?

Why?

The most basic of research would tell you that under no circumstances will you be able to adopt a child from Japan.

Why Japan specifically?

Children aren't holiday souvenirs. A Japanese child should have the chance to grow up in Japan, with parents who can speak their language and connect them to their heritage.

Most countries do not allow international adoptions for very good reasons. If you want to adopt, do it here.

I didn't think you could adopt from Japan?

OP - it's extremely difficult to adopt from Japan. They have a system whereby the bio parents often put the children into children's homes - but rarely are they allowed up for actual adoption. Absolute priority is also given for Japanese born residents - it;s extremely rare for a foreigner to be able to achieve an adoption. Most Japanese children in homes never get adopted due to the laws surrounding adoption.

For adoptions that are finalized in Japan, there are two types of adoptions under Japanese law - regular and special.

"Regular" adoptions are not considered an option for American citizens wishing to adopt in Japan as they are based on Japanese cultural and family traditions and do not legally sever the ties between the child and his or her birth family. To date there have been no known cases of Americans applying for immigrant visas for children adopted under the Japanese "regular" adoption process. To be a valid adoption for U.S. immigration purposes there must be an irrevocable termination of the biological parent(s) - child relationship.

"Special" adoptions in the Japanese context are an option for Foreigners who are resident in Japan. The law on special adoptions went into effect on January 1, 1988, having been created to protect children. Special adoptions more closely resemble Western-style adoptions. As in U.S. adoptions, for example, a special adoption legally severs the child's ties, rights and privileges with regard to the birth parent(s) and any prior adoptive parents.

A quick Google tells me you can but you have to live in Japan during the whole process which can take up to 18 months. It's a bit odd that OP has specified Japan in this way unless they have Japanese heritage themselves. There is a subculture in the West of people fetishising Japanese culture and I really hope this is not an extreme extension of that.

This passage quotes US, but is relevant for all foreign citizens.

There is an adoption board, where people have adopted internationally. Are you Japanese?

I live in Ireland and we adopted our 2 children from Russia. There is no domestic adoption here. The youngest was adopted almost 10 years ago. In the years since it has become much more difficult to adopt from anywhere abroad. Russia is closed to foreign adoptions now.

Donor countries tend to be 3rd world countries. A wealthy country like Japan would not tend allow it's children to be adopted abroad.
Vietnam, China and Thailand have foreign adoption programs, although they're difficult with long waiting times and strict criteria.

Do you live in the UK? There are plenty of children in the UK awaiting adoption to the right families. Come over to the adoption board for more information.

Why do you think overseas adoption would be in the best interests of a Japanese child OP?

Maybe OP is Japanese, people!!

Maybe OP is Japanese, people!!

Right. That's obviously why it would be an overseas adoption and why OP would ask about it on here instead of, you know, asking the relevant Japanese authorities. Because she's Japanese.

Maybe OP is Japanese, people!!

Then why would she ask about an overseas adoption?!

A week ago you said you didn't want children because you wouldn't cope emotionally and you hate noise.

I just want to see where the thread is going (I expect it'll go "puff")

Weird thread. As others have said, why go to Japan? Many many children in the UK who are in need of their permanent home.

Unless you are madonna or Angelina Jolie, you cannot just choose a country and decide I'll have one from here thanks.

A week ago you said you didn't want children because you wouldn't cope emotionally and you hate noise.

Perhaps the OP thinks Japanese children are especially quiet

@tojigornot 🤣🤣🤣

You can't

My husband it half Japanese. It was something we had discussed and wondered if it was even possible.

@bonitakitlee ahhhh I see. Could the Japanese PIL be of any help at all? they might know more. Does he still have family there?