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Can foreigners divorce in Japan?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 25, 2026

Q: Can foreign citizens be divorced in Japan? A: Yes. However, foreign citizens must show evidence that they are able to be divorced in their country of nationality and that the procedures used in Japan are compatible with those of their home country.

Is it easy to divorce in Japan?

Under the Japanese laws, a spouse cannot divorce at his/her sole discretion. Basically a mutual agreement between spouses are needed to divorce in Japan. Divorce based on the spouses' mutual agreement without a Japanese court is called “Kyogi-Rikon” in Japanese.

How long does divorce by agreement take in Japan?

If the husband and wife fail to agree to the divorce through conciliation and if discussions are terminated, the family court may decide to issue a decision for divorce (審判離婚 or “shinpan rikon”). If a decision is issued, and, if the parties fail to object to the decision within 2 weeks, the divorce becomes final.

What happens if you divorce on a spouse visa Japan?

Now, the immigration office may revoke your spouse visa after 6 months from the divorce. You must file a petition for change of status of residence within this 6-month grace period, or leave Japan upon the end of the 6 months. Note that this does not apply, of course, if you are already a permanent resident of Japan.

Can I marriage after divorce in Japan?

Under current law, there is a 100-day ban on getting remarried after a divorce, but the rule only applies to women. It is in place because the legal paternity claims of the ex- and the new husband would overlap for 100 days under the Civil Code as it now stands.

41 related questions found

What happens when you get a divorce in Japan?

If divorce cannot be established by the family court, then application is made to the district court for a decision (application for arbitration is a prerequisite). Once the case is decided, the court will issue a certified copy and certificate of settlement, to be attached to the Divorce Registration.

Will I be deported if I get divorced?

Being married to a US citizen does not automatically provide an undocumented immigrant with legal status, and filing for divorce does not prompt deportation proceedings. Although the divorce court is not permitted to contact US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), others may do so.

What are the reasons for divorce in Japan?

The statutory Grounds to get a divorce if your spouse is not agreeing

  • (i) if a spouse has committed an act of unchastity;
  • (ii) if abandoned by a spouse in bad faith;
  • (iii) if it is not clear whether a spouse is dead or alive for not less than three years;

How can we stop divorce in Japan?

In order to prevent a spouse from filing a forged divorce agreement, one needs to file a Petition for Non-Acceptance of Notification of Divorce (rikon fujuri moshidesho 離婚不受理申出書). Filing this petition with the local ward office will prevent the acceptance of any divorce petitions involving the applicant.

Will I lose my visa if I get divorced?

You must tell the Home Office when you divorce or separate from your partner if your visa is based on your relationship. You must then either apply to stay in the UK or leave. Your visa is based on your relationship if you have permission to stay in the UK for a limited time as: a dependant on your partner's UK visa.

How much does divorce cost in Japan?

There is no charge for the divorce, but there is a charge of 300-350 yen ($2-3) per copy of the certificate. Family Court Divorce Procedure: An informal procedure may be used to obtain a divorce if neither party is Japanese.

Where can I get divorce papers in Japan?

You can get divorced by mutually signing a divorce application and submitting it at a city hall in Japan. Only when you cannot mutually agree to the conditions of the divorce, you will go to a court. Even the divorce is settled in a court, the divorce is registered in city halls.

Is divorce stigmatized in Japan?

Such frankness is a major characteristic of Japan's recently divorced - and a striking break with the past. Divorced people - particularly women - have long been stigmatized in Japan, where self-sacrifice and family stability are cherished ideals.

Is divorce a big deal in Japan?

There are about 1.8 divorces per 1,000 people in Japan, compared to 3.2 divorces per 1,000 people in the United States. Women in Japan tend to struggle economically following divorce. That's because traditionally in Japan, men work, and women stay home to take care of the children.

Is adultery a crime in Japan?

A Japanese court ruled that extramarital affairs are alright, so long as they're done for business purposes. According to the Japan Times, the Tokyo District Court ruled on a case where a man's wife was seeking compensation from a night-club hostess who had a sexual relationship with the husband.

Is there legal separation in Japan?

There is no concept of judicial separation under Japanese law. However, it is possible for separated couples to enter into a separation agreement in mediation at the family court to formally agree on such issues as: Child custody. Visitation.

Is there alimony in Japan?

Spousal support: There is no alimony in Japan. If a spouse is in financial difficulty then sometimes the court will exercise a discretion to give that spouse a larger share of the assets as part of the disposition of the case.

What happens if I divorce my foreign wife?

If you are divorcing a noncitizen within two years of the marriage, your spouse may lose their residency status. Noncitizens must typically apply for a termination waiver if they still wish to pursue citizenship. Both parties must sign this document and show that they entered the marriage in good faith.

How do you divorce a spouse who is in a foreign country?

As long as one of you fulfills the residency requirement, you can file for divorce in the state you're living in, even if the other spouse is living abroad. Filing a divorce with an international spouse usually proceeds like a normal divorce where both spouses are living in the same state.

What happens if you get divorced before 2 years?

But if you divorce (or your marriage is annulled) before the two years have passed and you want to continue to live in the U.S., filing this petition jointly with your spouse will be impossible. You will still need to submit Form I-751, but will have to include a request for a "waiver" of the joint filing requirement.

Can you sue for adultery in Japan?

According to Japanese civil law, while you can sue his affair partner for emotional distress, there is no guarantee that you will win or be awarded anything—and you will definitely need a lawyer and time in order to sue properly.

Can you get an annulment in Japan?

Re: marriage annulment in Japan

In the US annulment can be granted on grounds of divorce, and according to this Japanese civil code, article 747, it can in Japan, too.

Can you sue a person for cheating with your spouse in Japan?

In Japan, it has been a long-standing legal principle that a person can be sued if they engage in a sexual relationship with a married person.

Can my wife cancel my spouse visa?

The quick answer is that your husband can't cancel your spouse visa. That is because your spouse visa was issued by the Home Office and not by your husband or spouse. Therefore, only the Home Office has the power and authority to cancel your spouse visa or to make you leave the UK.