Japan: Children in Institutions Denied Family Life 

I am an adoptive and foster parent in Japan. We were lucky to get these kids -- I didn't realize how lucky until I saw the numbers of kids actually released by their parents. Unfortunately, as the video shows, the systems are set up for the benefit of the parents, not the children.

I live in Japan for more than 10 years and I've been trying to adopt a kid here but they ALWAYS refuse me due 3 factors: 1- I'm a foreigner, 2- I'm not "rich enough", 3- I'm lesbian/queer. (despite being in a stable relationship for more than 8 years) To adopt you have to be a straight, high-income japanese couple.

I am retired from the City of Chicago Family Support Services where I worked in the Early Child Care Division and also have a graduate certificate as an infant specialist. This is worse than horrific. With all the money that Japan makes, they could easily afford to come up with a foster care program/adoption for these babies.

This is like Home for the aged in reverse, if parents have good reason not to take care of their children and the gov't agrees then they go to foster homes. It's pretty sad, breaks my heart completely, to think I've been watching those Japanese "errand" shows were Japanese Kids do their first errands and it looks so cute and I feel good that Japan takes care of their Children in somewhat a collective manner, thus creating independent children however with this Foster Care system is something that the government and the society should see as a whole but this system is pretty good compared to my home country of the Philippines where the kids are just outside committing petty crimes and being left alone.

Children were never meant to live this way. They need love, guidance, and a sense of security that comes from being loved by a parent. Those workers were wanting to do the best for the kids, but they simply cannot make up for what those poor kids have lost.

With 13 years of experience as a social worker, this turns my stomach!

I had no idea this was the way the system worked in Japan. Thank you for the informative video.

im crying.. when i get older, as soon as i can, i want to help those kids... their youth are very troubled- the country is troubled! i really want to help in any way i can.. whether that means adopting or working for these institutions!

This is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!! Why won't Japan let these babies and children get adopted or even get a foster parent???? My God!! I would adopt ANY one of these precious little babies!!! But because I'm not a rich and over privileged person, i guess I'm no good, right??? I don't steal, I'm not a murderer, I'm not a pedophile, i don't and NEVER had, spanked my children, i don't have any physical or mental disabilities, that would get in the way of raising a child, NOTHING!!! So why on God's green earth, would Japan keep people like ME, from adopting any one of these sweet, precious babies????!!!! It makes me mad to no end!!!! Too much pain for my heart to endure.

6:38 ❤ Mrs Hennessy, I was born to a special needs family with a schizophrenic, aggressive dad, an intellectually disabled and illiterate mum and I was not removed from there. I had to grow up in this most of the times inappropriate for a child environment. Noone cared either from the extended family, neighbours or social services. We have been ostracized as a family, treated with disrespect and I was bullied for most of my school life. The social system doesnt help everyone. Moreover, it was hard to find a normal paid job to escape all this. So I still live with them and I pity them while suffering their illnesses. Sometimes they r happy and I am content when nobody disrespects them causing them emotional pain. Life is so beautiful despite our fellow men hatred, economical hardships and our illnesses❤ May we create a paradise on our beautiful Earth❤

~♡~ Although the institutions where children of abusive families, among other, are placed appear decent enough,--as does the staff--the grief and stigma that many of these 'orphaned' children will carry with them throughout their lives will be with them forever. If ever there were a reason to be kind to other people, this is it. until any of us have walked in the shoes of another person more disadvantaged than we. . . we can never know his or her heart or mind. Ahimsa. . . Do no harm. ~♡~

The parents should be forced to put money into their child’s account that they cannot touch or use until they’re 18 years old or after they finish school. So when they leave they at lest have some funds to invest or put towards a place or business. I understand that the parents might not have money but since the child isn’t in there care they now have time to work and earn an income. It should be like 40% to 50% of their pay. Things like this makes me upset because that child did nothing wrong so why should they suffer.

this story really broke my heart..i feel as humans we have failed to protect our little treasures..the innocent the pure i will do everything in my power to eradicate this shame..not just in Japan but everywhere.. people please think..Peace

I think in my opinion the education of japan should add parenting in thier curriculum because of the lack of foster parent... And it could be a great job to those people who wants to have a normal life and loves children. Since this case in japan is very sad to see the situations of the kids on these facilities.

I wish more people could adopt but Japan only allows married couples, mostly Japanese couples. They make it impossible to adopt a kid in a different country, also they do not regulate it so you could get a kid who was not legally placed for adoption. I did my research on adoption, they barely have a system to adopt in the country. They are so highly independent from the kids!

The question why do parents let go their babies at first place? Opening foster care centers and orphanage is dealing with symptoms while root cause is to fix the issue with parents who wants to let go of their babies.

I always wanted to adopt a Japanese baby. Im not happy they are going through this struggle I am too Wish I could come live their take care of them.🤲🏼💖🙏😥

This is a tragedy, but there is a simple solution to this. All it takes is for the Japan Government to invest more to the institutions (e.g making it better-equipped, and with better teaching syllabus, and proper care systems. And for the Japanese people to start embracing the culture of adoption. Japanese value very much the family lineage, making it difficult for them to adopt 'strangers'. This mindset needs to be changed.

i want to be with these kids. its such a touching experience

I’m gonna adopt a Japanese orphan maybe even two when I’m older this just makes me cry

I live in Tokyo, this afternoon, Shinagawa Child Guidance Office sent their staff to knock at my home door, demanded to talk with me without any prior reservation, and when I told them that I have to leave within 5 minutes, they kept pushing to talk with me in Japanese language, which I poorly understand. We have been getting complaints from neighboors for our child voice during the night, I guess thats how they get my address. Those staffs did not even explain how did they get my address, and instead asked for my phone number in front of my door. In the letter they gave me, they did not even know my name. And when I left the house with the kids, they wait in front of my door and proceed to talk to my child without my permission, this is done right away after I have asked them to leave. The female staff dressed nicely in office attire but her attitute were not professional at all. Does anyone know how to deal with this organisation ?

I feel so sad for them 😢

Pulls on the heart strings so much ... perhaps someone could shed light for me on the statistics regarding abuse in foster homes compared to institutional care. I do worry that it seems that there are problems no matter whether a child goes into foster care or is in an institution.

4:27 he’s reading detective Conan

I'm a american I know it would be hard to adopt a Japanese child. I would foster some of them.

What shame!

While the Japanese system seems much more organized and child-centered then ours in the United States, they do seem to recognize the needs of the children and Human Rights Watch is working to mediate the problem. We all need to think of the needs of children.

Does anyone know how I would go about adopting from Japan as an Australian?

I came here to cry about Goro

6:30m/s Sumiko Hennessy makes a very good point, I was watching program call going unground on RT.COM some man talking about adult addictions and ADHD in a child. How social relation with in the family and modern society has broken down leading adult to addictions and more kids with behavioural problems medications is used for comfort. Where human interaction are not possible.

There are great living single/ divorced women in America that would love to have them live here with us . To love & care & give them the life they deserve. It’s cruel for them to stay there. The parents should think about this. People would be open to video calls with their child. They want the best for them & it should happen. Hopefully one day it will. ✌🏼❤️

This world...

"Babies need a consistent relationship" That's why God gave us rules for marriage and family.

Amazing 🚀🚀😍😍

This system doesn't really seem that bad to me... I mean shoving an abused child straight into the arms of some unwitting distant relatives, or putting them through the arduous process of adoption or foster homes immediately after the initial neglect doesn't send a 'it's okay, you're home now' message. These depicted institutions have a high caregiver to student ratio and good living conditions. The abused child can feel at home with other children who have gone through similar things and have peers that understand and sympathize with them. This sets the children up for long lasting relations with other children and trained, and experienced, caregivers-much like a big family. Rather than the 'here, take this burden' ideology employed in many child are systems in other countries, these specialized homes seem like a better 'it's okay, you're not alone' recovery and nurturing habitat.

They get BIG MONEY FOR EACH CHILD THEY KEEP THAT IS WHY THESE CHILDREN ARE KEPT AND ARE TAKEN ILLEGALLY. AND TRYING TO GET THEM BACK IS SO DIFFICULT......THE SOCIAL SERVICES HAS SO MUCH POWER OVER HERE AND GOOD LUCK

Guy at 5:16 needs to clean his office

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