If you are viewing this HP then you are either thinking of separating, in the process of separation or in the midst of mediation and divorce proceedings. Things can go south very very quickly. I cannot stress this enough.
Go to your local ward office and file what is called “Rikon Fujyuri Moushidesho” immediately.
You can download it here.
This is an extremely important document to file during or prior to divorce. The reason for this is that you can be divorced without your consent. The city hall simply takes whatever divorce document that is submitted and does not check to see whether it is truly signed by both parties or not. They do not check your stamp registry either. The divorce document can be forged by your spouse.
Another extremely scary thing when having children in Japan is that joint custody is not accepted by Japanese law. This is different than many western countries. On the divorce application form that you officially submit at the time of divorce, there is one area that specifies which parent will take sole custody of the children. If your spouse forges the divorce document and submits it, they can legally take full custody of your children.
This is what the official divorce application form looks like.
So please please please, file the Rikon Fujyuri Moushidesho immediately. You can always cancel it later if you want to. Your spouse will not know that it has been submitted and they will not be informed of its existance unless they go to the local ward office and try to file their own Rikon Fujyuri Moushidesho or they try to file a fake divorce document.
This has been such a problem because it has not been publicised at all in English. There is one site which is dedicated to bringing attention to this huge and unfair hole in the Japanese system. It is called Rikon Alert. This is from their site and confirmation of this ridiculous system is truly the stuff of nightmares.
The Hard Truth
Divorce is legally recognized simply on submission of divorce documents.
Sole custody of your children may be decided on the basis of the documents and without consideration of a court. If your children are living with your spouse, it is nearly impossible to win a change in custody.
Even if your signature on the divorce application was forged, the government may accept and the divorce will be in effect.
Submit a “Rikon Fujyuri Moushidesho” form to your local city hall to avoid being divorced without your agreement.
Click here to head over to prepare yourself for : Before Separation.