The triple natural disaster of an earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis that hit Japan March 11, 2011, has many concerned about the fates of the youngest victims, children. But is rescuing Japanese children through adoption possible?
During the best of times, an adoption from Japan was more for those already residing in Japan.
According to the information provided on the U.S. Department of State's website, Japan is not a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and due to the lengthy process in completing a Japan adoption, the prospective adoptive parents usually reside in Japan.
The Japanese adoption court process can take a minimum of six months to possibly as long as 18 months.
Two types of adoptions are available in Japan, "regular" and "special". "Regular" adoptions are not considered for American citizens as they are based on Japanese culture and the importance of family tradition as the ties between birth parent and child are not severed. "Special" adoptions are a possibility for American citizens that live in Japan. These "speical" adoptions are similar to Western adoptions as there is a termination of birth parent rights.
Any child considered for adoption in Japan must meet the definition of an orphan according to U.S. law.
The child must also meet guidelines according to Japanese law in order to be adopted. The child must be under the age of 6 at the time the adoption petition is filed. If the child is under the age of 8 the adoption can continue if the prospective adoptive parents have had custody of the child and cared for the child since before the age of 6.
The child must not be an orphan as outlined by the United States, but a special adoption can be granted if "It is extremely difficult for the biological parents to take care of the child." "It is considered inappropriate for the biological parents to raise the child." and/ or "It is in the interests of the child."
Learn more about adopting from Japan at the United States Department of State website.
More about Japan and child adoption during a natural disaster.
