We are one out of four - 25%. By that I mean, my wife and I have had four pregnancies but have only one living child to show for it. So after the last miscarriage, we decided to call it quits with the pregnancy thing and to look into the adoption route - much less of an emotional rollercoaster.Like many people our first inclination was to get info on a China adoption. But after a short amount of research and a little soul searching, we decided to go for a Japan adoption instead. Since we are so surrounded by Japanese people and culture, and since we travel frequently to Japan, it just made sense to look into a Japan adoption. If you want to look into this route, here are some things we’ve learned:
- Japan adoptions are rare. In all of 2005, about 40 babies were adopted in the US from Japan.
- Japan adoptions are expensive. Unlike adoptions from less developed countries, Japan adoptions will cost about the same as a luxury car.
- Very few babies are put up for adoption in Japan - it’s a cultural thing.
- Still, Japan adoptions can happen pretty darn fast because there are relatively few people seeking them.
The short of it is this. In June we started the process of a Japan adoption. We filed the necessary paperwork with the Government, we got fingerprinted, applied for a home-study, put together a family photo album to show prospective agencies who we are and how we live, and put in applications into about four Japan adoption agencies in early August.
Much to our surprise, within weeks of getting all the paperwork into one of the Japan adoption agencies, we got the call - “do you want a boy?” Shocked that it happened so fast, we graciously turned it down because we wanted to hold out of a girl. The a few weeks later, again, “we got another boy…” Again we turned it down thinking we already have our own boy, and could wait a bit longer.
Then this past Sunday (9/10/06) we got a fateful call from a second agency in Japan…”We have a girl for you!” The next day we wired over our money and bamm, now we’re on our way to Japan to pick her up. We haven’t even seen a picture of her yet but needless to say, we’re pretty excited. Our son is too (he’s getting his baby sister finally), but I don’ think he has any idea what he’s in store for.
I’ll post up more when we get back from Japan…we never thought a Japan adoption could happen so fast.
[8/20/2008 Update: Please see my other stories about our Japan adoption:
Here she is, our Japan adoption
Japan adoption agencies
Bonding with an adopted child
Traveling to Japan to pick up our adopted daughter
Our Japanese Adoption - Update]
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Congratulations. Our adoption was finalized in Jan of 2006 from Japan. I would love to adopt another one. We were stationed there and just left. I just wanted to tell you how happy I am for you.
Left by lyndsi on October 8th, 2006
Hi, I just found your site after googleing on “Japanese adoptions.” My wife and I have adopted from China and were to again until hearing that it is relatively easy and fast to adopt from Japan. We got excited when we saw your blog posting, but have some questions, if you don’t mind.
Have you come home yet with your child? What agency did you use? What is the child’s legal status with you, ie do the biological parents have rights?
Mike Sugimoto
Left by mike sugimoto on December 3rd, 2006
Sorry I’ve not been updating my site lately. Yes, we have come home with our baby girl from Japan. I can say that we were very happy with both the process and, of course, our baby. Mike, I’ll email you offline to go over more details. My wife and I will be happy to share some of our experiences…
Left by Netsato on December 7th, 2006
Hi
I am interesting in hearing more of the details on your Japanese adoption process.
My husband is half Japanese, with relatives who still reside in Japan. I am a Korean adoptee we want to adopt an asian infant girl.
Any information would be very help full.
Thanks In Advance
Carol Soo Dyson
Left by Carol Dyson on December 18th, 2006
Since several people have asked, I’ll try to put together some documentation about the process of a Japanese adoption…but right now, we’ve got the Christmas and New Years thing to get through…
Left by Netsato on December 21st, 2006
Congratulations!
We are just starting the adoption process. Would you please send me some information also? We would love to hear about your experiences.
Thank you!
Left by Karen on January 7th, 2007
Congratulations on your daughter!!
We have our heart set on adopting a daughter from Japan. We have found it hard to find information on Japanese adoption compared to other countries. Could you please offer us information on how you got started. Also we would love to hear about your adoption story.
Thank you
Matt & Kim
Left by Kim on January 12th, 2007
It is nice to hear about successful adoptions from Japan. We are hard pressed to find information about Japanese adoptions. I would love to hear more about the adoption process you went through.
All the best,
Kim and Andy
Left by Kim on January 18th, 2007
Japan adoptions are rare. In all of 2005, about 40 babies were adopted in the US from Japan.
Japan adoptions are expensive. Unlike adoptions from less developed countries, Japan adoptions will cost about the same as a luxury car.
Where did the above information come from. What source did you get this info from?
Left by cindy fisher on January 21st, 2007
Cindy my bad, I’ve been racking my brain to remember where I got that number…But I can tell you that according to the US State Department website, there were 31 visas issued to Japanese children adopted into the US in 2000. In fact, between 1996 and 2000 there were less than 40 Japanese children each year adopted into the US. So, I would say that yes, Japan adoptions are rare. Here’s the website : http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/country/country_406.html
For the cost…I have first hand experience with that. The agency we used was on the pricy side. We have a friend who adopted from Japan last year but through a different agency…they paid a lot less. BUT, our agency did more leg work for us. So in a sense, you pay for what you get.
Left by Netsato on January 23rd, 2007
If you could also please send info. regarding the agency you used to adopt in Japan. Currently living in Kobe, Japan on international work assignment. Very interested. Thank you.
Left by Jenifer on January 24th, 2007
Hello-
Your blog gives me hope! My husband and I have been researching adoption and would love to adopt from Japan but can’t find any information. My husband is Japanese, while he was US born, both parents are from Japan. Adoption is looking like our only option, after 6 ivf cycles and two miscarriages we were told we should adopt. Any information you would like to share would be SO appreciated.
Many thanks!!
Left by Mary on January 24th, 2007
We’re in the process of adopting from Japan too, so I enjoyed reading your blog. Which agencies did you send applications to? Which did you end up adopting through? We finished all our paperwork in December and now are just waiting for “the call.” We’ve only applied to one agency, so it would be great to hear of others from you. Thanks!
Left by Jackie on January 25th, 2007
Thank you so much for sharing your story. My husband and I are currently living in the Tokyo area and very much want to adopt from Japan. Can you send me the names of the agencies that you are familiar with. You mentioned that a friend also adopted, I would love the name of the agency they used also. Anything you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Congrats on your new baby girl! You should post some pictures. I am sure she is beautiful!
Left by Annah on February 1st, 2007
Like several others, I just found your website, by googling Japanese adoptions and like everyone else, my husband and I are finding it hard to determine where to begin the process of a japanese adoption. I would greatly appreciate it if you can put together the information that it seems quite a few of us are interested in obtaining.
Out of curiosity, what was your cost for adopting from Japan?
Congratulations on your success. Hope to hear from you soon.
Jan
Left by Jan on March 1st, 2007
My husband is American Caucasian and I was born in Tokyo to Japanese mother and Korean father. We now have a 14 month old son after many ivfs. We would love to expand our family to have another and this is the first website where I feel ‘connected’ to ask about adoption from Japan. I would greatly appreciate your sending me your information on your experience, your agencies, etc.
Congratulations on your new baby girl. What is her name? I hope your son is enjoying the company of his new baby sister. Having that would be our dream come true.
Left by Mary H on March 9th, 2007
Hello,
Congratulations on your baby girl. I am in the inital research process and would love to hear more about the agencies you contacted, the cost and a bit more on the process. My husband and I are both of Japanese heritage - his parents are both from Japan with family still there. I’m fourth generation Japanese American and lived there for 3 years. We wish to teach our children Japanese language & culture.
I know you’ve got your hands full, but if you have the chance, we’d appreciate the information.
Thank you
Left by Diane on March 22nd, 2007
Hi,
I’m another of those people who found your blog while trying to research the possibilities of adopting from Japan. I haven’t had much luck finding good information. Could you help me out a little? I am single, my sister and niece live in Japan and I have visited several times and would love to adopt a daugher from there. Can you tell me the agency that you and your friend used? Also, in your experience, what is the range of costs that are associated with the adoption (less travel fees)? Thank you for any information that you can give me. I’m sure you are enjoying your daugher very much! My belated congratulations to your family!
Christy
Left by christy on April 9th, 2007
Hi,
We adopted a son from Japan in 2005. We are now pursuing another adoption but, our agency in Japan isn’t sure if they are going to continue (the representative is thinking to retire.) Could you please email me the names of the agencies that you mentioned?
Thank you and congratulations!
Stephenie
mom to Lexie, 6 biological and Noah Ikuo, 2 adopted from Japan
Left by Stephenie on April 14th, 2007
Hi Stephaenie,
We used International Family for our adoption. I have another post that covers this in more detail:
http://www.netsato.com/2007/03/16/japan-adoption-agencies/
Good luck on your next adoption…
Left by Netsato on April 15th, 2007
Hello there! I am so happy to have found your post! My husband and I are in the initial phases of an adoption from China, but with wait times threatening to reach 3-4 years, we are worrying about continuing. Also, my sister lives in Japan, married to a Japanese man, with three kids, so we go there twice a year to visit and LOVE it! We had never thought about Japan before, since we knew about the bias there (my bro-in-law still thinks we’re wierd), and just figured they would never let foreigners adopt. From your experience, do you think they would allow a non-Japanese heritage couple adopt, considering our other close ties to Japan? And would you feel comfortable emailing me privately to give me a good idea of the costs? China runs about $18,000, but I have heard Japan could be more?
Thanks again for your blog!
Left by Beth on September 25th, 2007
Hi! My husband & I are very interested in adopting a little girl from Japan. We have a rascal 13 month old son who desperately needs a sibling. I was born & raised in Hilo (yonsei), my husband a nisei from Los Angeles. We currently live on Oahu. Would love to hear more about the agency you used and get the contact information if possible. A belated congratulations to your family!
Left by teri on September 30th, 2007
Hello,
My husband, who is 3rd generation Japanese, and I are very grateful for your website. It has been difficult to find information about Japanese adoption options. We would really like you to send us the phone number, or email address, for the contact person in California.
I believe you said she was with the Rescue the Children agency.
After haveing 3 miscarriages and 3 IVF cycles, we are hopeful that your blog will help us reach our dreams.
Left by mary tachibana on October 12th, 2007
I posted a question regarding the adoption process and cost back on March 1st, but my e-mail address had changed and so I am not sure whether you responded to me. My husband and I are very interested in adopting from Japan, but my husband would like to chat with you if at all possible. Please e-mail me back and let me know if you would prefer to call us or converse via e-mail.
Thanks
Left by Jan on November 15th, 2007
My husband and I are looking to adopt from Japan. Did you guys use an agency or did you do it on your own? If you did it on your own, can you please let me know how easy you thought it was? My husband and I haven’t gone through the adoption process before. So, we are a little scared to not have help from an agency.
Thanks so much for your time!
Left by Melissa Langdale on June 26th, 2008