Key Facts
• December 2025: Japan Innovation Party forms legislative alliance on adult guardianship reform.
• 82.9% of guardians in 2024 were non-relatives, such as lawyers or judicial scriveners.
• 25,000 people currently use the adult guardianship system, established in April 2000.
• United Nations has recommended abolishing Japan’s discriminatory guardianship system.
• Frequent issues: family separations, financial mismanagement, and restricted communication.
• December 11, 2025: Alliance chair Hiroshi Nakatsuka highlights personal experience of system flaws.
• Government aims to amend related laws in early 2026, but victims demand stronger measures.
• Victim advocacy group calls for third-party complaint mechanisms and systemic investigations.
• Legislative alliance plans cross-party discussions to address systemic shortcomings.
• Critics warn against rushed reforms without thorough problem analysis.
Summary
The Japan Innovation Party has launched a legislative alliance to address issues in the adult guardianship system, which has faced criticism for separating families and enabling financial mismanagement. Established in 2000, the system currently serves 25,000 users, with 82.9% of guardians being non-relatives. The United Nations has called for its abolition due to discriminatory practices. Victims and advocacy groups demand systemic reforms, including third-party complaint mechanisms. Alliance chair Hiroshi Nakatsuka, motivated by personal experiences, emphasizes the need for careful deliberation to prevent rushed reforms. The government plans to propose legal amendments in 2026, but critics argue for comprehensive investigations and cross-party collaboration to ensure meaningful change.
