Orphanages in Japan

[Andun]

Wow. I wasn't even aware of this issue. Another one of Japan's 'sweep it under the carpet' deals. Very sad indeed.

Japan’s Forgotten Children

There were 36,450 children in the orphanage system in Japan in March, 2011. Only 12% or 4,373 were adopted or placed in foster care during the preceding 12 months. Orphanages abound here; there are 14 within the Nagoya city limits alone. You may wonder why there are so many children without parents in Japan. The fact is that the vast majority of children in orphanages here do have parents. Parents are allowed to put their babies/children in orphanages for any number of reasons. They don’t even need to visit them. They can leave them there, and often do, until they reach 18 years of age. The government will not proactively sever their parental rights.
Last month, a Chukyo Television director who was documenting this problem, asked a high government official why Japan had such a system, as opposed to promoting adoption and foster care like other developed nations. The man, whom I respect for his honesty, basically said that after the war there were many children without parents. At that time, many orphanages were built. So, that became Japan’s system to this day. Let me translate that for you…There are many jobs involved in this system. Plus, we don’t like change.

[TJrandom]

I know a woman who wanted to adopt since she could not have children of her own – and it really was not possible for her to do so. She was successful in becoming a foster parent – and has been raising two children for over 10 years now – but the relatives of these kids refuse to permit their adoption. This is because of the family register system – which would be updated to acknowledge that the children were adopted out, and bring shame upon the family (seemingly greater than leaving them in the shelter/foster care).

[haggydoggy]

I know a woman who wanted to adopt since she could not have children of her own – and it really was not possible for her to do so. She was successful in becoming a foster parent – and has been raising two children for over 10 years now – but the relatives of these kids refuse to permit their adoption. This is because of the family register system – which would be updated to acknowledge that the children were adopted out, and bring shame upon the family (seemingly greater than leaving them in the shelter/foster care).

That's horrible.
How is their less shame then sending your children away to be taken care of by an unfeeling state? Giving them the opportunity to be raised by someone rather than an institution would seem to be the more responsible thing to do.

[Bella Bowtruckle]

You may wonder why there are so many children without parents in Japan. The fact is that the vast majority of children in orphanages here do have parents. Parents are allowed to put their babies/children in orphanages for any number of reasons. They don’t even need to visit them. They can leave them there, and often do, until they reach 18 years of age.

I didn't realize there were so many orphanages here but I did have a student once who, until she moved into our school dormitory, was living in an orphanage despite her parents still being alive. The mother (not Japanese) was divorced from the girl's father. She remarried a Japanese guy, who started abusing the daughter. Rather than divorce him (and risk getting deported I guess though I'm not sure) she put the girl in an orphanage, though she still visited her regularly. On top of that, the step-father was sent to prison for something or other (real nice guy it seems), and so the daughter moved back home for a while. Soon as he was released she was back in the guardianship of the state.

[Agitator]

I know a woman who wanted to adopt since she could not have children of her own – and it really was not possible for her to do so. She was successful in becoming a foster parent – and has been raising two children for over 10 years now – but the relatives of these kids refuse to permit their adoption. This is because of the family register system – which would be updated to acknowledge that the children were adopted out, and bring shame upon the family (seemingly greater than leaving them in the shelter/foster care).

This is heartbreaking. Japan can be (and often is) an incredibly annoying place, but usually you can just laugh at the inanity. This kind of garbage really makes my blood boil.

Sometimes I just want to figuratively grab the Japanese and slap some sense into them.

Regrettably,
A.

[TJrandom]

That's horrible.
How is their less shame then sending your children away to be taken care of by an unfeeling state? Giving them the opportunity to be raised by someone rather than an institution would seem to be the more responsible thing to do.

Agreed - but then it is all about that most important family register - that can be accessed by employers, potential future relatives, etc. Simply having the child reside in a care facility is not documented nor researchable - hence carries no public shame. Go figure....