BayGirl

Does anyone know if Japan adopts out children? My husband is a Japanophile and has experssed a deep interest in a Japanese child. I know teh country is very self reliant and have been unsuccessful in finding out any information. Just wondering if anyone knew any information about such.

I thank you in advance.

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dreamchaser

Tara i've had the same penpal in Japan sense 1986 and i have to write her back this weekend i'll ask her but its snail mail she don't have internet so it may be slow in getting a reply but i'll let ya know what she says

BayGirl

Thanks Diane Granted we still have time before REALLY thinking about it since we need a bigger house, but we would love to adopt as well. Appreciate teh help.

Tara

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rachelmichellek

I remember watching a TV show about Japanese adoption, and the message that I got is that it was very rare- the perceptions in Japan of adoption is much different than other countries in Asia. The concept they have of family lineage is so strong that children living all their lives in orphanages are still considered part of the family line of the family that is not (or cannot) parent them, to the point that the concept of "breaking" that family line by making the child eligible for adoption is close to unthinkable. A woman who was interviewed after she and her husband did an adoption there (this was a Japanese couple, adopting WITHIN Japan) said that she had to always tell people she was raising a relative's child, as if her child were the child of a cousin, not her own adoptive child- such was the stigma of raising a child not of their actual "lineage".

You may find out different information, but this is what I learned from that documentary. I saw it about two years ago. They mentioned that perceptions are slowly, slowly changing, but that overall, children were not generally made available for adoption- is was considered status quo to have them raised in orphanages and not seek adoption plans for them.

BayGirl

rachel - that was a VERY informative answer and we thank you very much. We are YEARS away from thinking about it but we wanted to know if it were possible. Maybe we shoudl start in a year or 2 for a baby from the US and being it takes so long, we'd be on track

OK, thanks again.

If anyone else knows anything, lemme know.

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grace10

I've been living in Japan for about 2 years but it wasn't until about 2 months ago that I could broach this (taboo in japan) subject. Once a year ago I mentioned it but the reaction was enough to shut me up.I am from a family with 4 adopted cousins, an adopted aunt, and several relatives who are foster parents. So was never raised to think this was a really controversial issue.
It is here.
A good friend of mine was sharing about how her brother and sister-in-law had been trying to conceive for several years. They were distraught because they had just tried their "last option". I immediately said "have they talked about adoption?"
I was with 2 japanese women, both froze. Then they got really awkward and said "oh no, not possible". Upon further prodding I learned that (most) Japanese would never even consider adopting because it is not "pure blood". While I love this country even mixed asian (Japanese and another) are labeled differently, considered not fully japanese, and called "halfs".
Since there is such a stigma about adoption most of these poor little dears will live their life in an orphanage with no chance of being adopted. Little is spoken about them,or the subject.
I dont know if it's impossible but it will be difficult. It's seen as a blemish on Japanese society that they desperately want to conceal.
Good luck! The kids are little angels here