Today we speak with Andrew, an American who became a foster and adoptive parent in Japan. He opens up about the challenges of navigating Japan’s child welfare system, cultural differences in parenting, and what inspired him to open his home to children in need. Andrew shares his personal journey, misconceptions people often have about adoption in Japan, and how he’s working to change the narrative around fostering and adoption.

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Additional Links for information on adoption:

The Family of Adoption: Completely Revised and Updated

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/962764.The_Family_of_Adoption

作家デビュー十年で新境地となった、出産を...『朝が来る』辻村深月 | 文春文庫

https://books.bunshun.jp/ud/book/num/9784167991333

Yokohama Yankee: My Family’s Five Generations as Outsiders in Japan - Deutsches Institut für Japanstudien

https://www.dijtokyo.org/ja/event/yokohama-yankee-my-familys-five-generations-as-outsiders-in-japan/

Intercountry Adoption

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption/Intercountry-Adoption-Country-Information/Japan.html

https://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/19634/keizaikenkyu06104342.pdf

Here Comes the Sun: A Journey to Adoption in 8 Chakras

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/23282195-here-comes-the-sun

Adoption and Historical Background in Japan

https://www.issj.org/adoption-web-en/roots/history/

Why Is It Important to Increase Foster Care and Adoption Programs? | The Nippon Foundation

https://en.nippon-foundation.or.jp/news/articles/2018/20180403-19604.html

Family Matters: Promoting Special Adoptions in Japan for the Good of Children

en.nippon-foundation.or.jp

https://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00393/

戸籍の窓口II 養子縁組・特別養子縁組 | 日本加除出版

https://www.kajo.co.jp/c/book/01/0101/49172000001?srsltid=AfmBOopYTAlN_Knqcz3XriqnOzldOi7_iveJSUDJM4kquuRDTCKLnu2q

関連書籍 | 子どもたちに家庭をプロジェクト

https://nf-kodomokatei.jp/book/

里親と特別養子縁組

https://www.chuko.co.jp/shinsho/2024/10/102826.html