Toyonaka International Exchange Association

Social workers, child welfare workers, and other welfare workers,
For domestic violence victim counselors, foreign support counselors, and lawyers
-------------------------------------------

Divorce without consent and joint custody: Considering the nature of support

-------------------------------------------

　Divorce by mutual consent is a simple system that can be established simply by the couple discussing the matter and filing a divorce notification, but there have been cases where people have abused this simplicity and divorced without the other party's permission. This has occurred in cases where the couple was Japanese, but it is not uncommon in international marriages. Divorce without consent also involves the decision on who will have custody of their children without their permission, which has serious consequences for children.
　What is clear from consultation cases of international couples divorcing without consent is that supporters are unaware of the legal issues specific to international families and have treated them in the same way as they would treat families with Japanese nationality, resulting in irreparable damage and lifelong repercussions.
　This seminar will cover the legal system and practices surrounding divorce without consent. This content will be useful not only for international marriage families but also for supporting families with Japanese nationality, and is essential information for supporters.
　We will also be giving a lecture on the impact of divorce without consent on joint custody after divorce, which will be introduced in 2026. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about participants' cases.

<Program for the day>

・Divorce by mutual consent system and joint custody
Shuhei Ninomiya (Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law, Ritsumeikan University)

・The reality and problems of non-acceptance procedures
Kaori Yoshijima (Chief Counselor of the Multilingual Counseling Service at the Toyonaka International Association, Public Interest Foundation; Clinical Psychologist; Certified Psychologist)

・The reality of divorce without consent
Yuji Kimura (RINK, Kansai Network for the Protection of the Human Rights of All Foreign Nationals and Their Families)
Yuki Muranishi (NPO Kobe Foreigners Relief Network)
Kaori Yoshijima

・The impact of divorce without permission and invalid divorce
Toshiki Shibaike (Lawyer, Foreign Lawyers Network Coordinator, Clinical Psychologist, Certified Psychologist)
Yuji Kimura

・Divorce invalidation procedure
Yasuyuki Matsumoto (President of Toyonaka International Association, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation; Lawyer)
Toshiteru Shibaike

Joint custody and invalid divorce
Shuhei Ninomiya

Q&A and discussion

Target	For social workers, child welfare workers, and other welfare workers, domestic violence victim counselors, foreigner support counselors, and lawyers 80 people in person, 90 people online (Zoom) *Applications must be made by 12:1 PM on Friday, January 30th
Date and Time	Saturday, January 31, 2026 14:00 - 17:00 (Doors open 13:45)
Place	Toyonaka International Center (Online participation is also possible; a link will be sent after registration)
Entry fee	Free
Contact	Toyonaka International Exchange Center