Comments on: ‘Til Pension Do Us Part - Divorce in Japan set to Skyrocket http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/ A fresh look at Japan, by gaijins for gaijins! Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:47:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: alexG http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-81054 alexG Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:21:27 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-81054 Hi, I am going through a divorce and I need some help. I am an english teacher for a High School, I am under a marriage visa that doesnt expire until may next year. My wife wants a divorce by mutual agreement, but I am worried about my status. It seems she doesnt want to go to court, all she wants is separation. If I agree to do so, will my visa be voided immediately? Can I keep my job if my visa is not voided or until it expires? What kind of visa can I get to stay in Japan? Will I have to pay a pension to her? Does she have to apply for pension or is it automatically set? Can she do this anytime after we divorce? We have no kids. A lot of questions, I know... Sorry. Thank you very much. Hi,

I am going through a divorce and I need some help.
I am an english teacher for a High School, I am under a marriage visa that doesnt expire until may next year.
My wife wants a divorce by mutual agreement, but I am worried about my status.
It seems she doesnt want to go to court, all she wants is separation.

If I agree to do so, will my visa be voided immediately?
Can I keep my job if my visa is not voided or until it expires?
What kind of visa can I get to stay in Japan?
Will I have to pay a pension to her?
Does she have to apply for pension or is it automatically set?
Can she do this anytime after we divorce?

We have no kids.

A lot of questions, I know… Sorry.

Thank you very much.

]]> By: Alex182 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-81053 Alex182 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:19:42 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-81053 Hi, I am going through a divorce and I need some help. I am an english teacher for a High School, I am under a marriage visa that doesnt expire until may next year. My wife wants a divorce by mutual agreement, but I am worried about my status. It seems she doesnt want to go to court, all she wants is separation. If I agree to do so, will my visa be voided immediately? Can I keep my job if my visa is not voided or until it expires? What kind of visa can I get to stay in Japan? Will I have to pay a pension to her? Does she have to apply for pension or is it automatically set? Can she do this anytime after we divorce? A lot of questions, I know... Sorry. Thank you very much. Hi,

I am going through a divorce and I need some help.
I am an english teacher for a High School, I am under a marriage visa that doesnt expire until may next year.
My wife wants a divorce by mutual agreement, but I am worried about my status.
It seems she doesnt want to go to court, all she wants is separation.

If I agree to do so, will my visa be voided immediately?
Can I keep my job if my visa is not voided or until it expires?
What kind of visa can I get to stay in Japan?
Will I have to pay a pension to her?
Does she have to apply for pension or is it automatically set?
Can she do this anytime after we divorce?

A lot of questions, I know… Sorry.

Thank you very much.

]]> By: tomo http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-80896 tomo Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:01:19 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-80896 It might not be a big deal, but you have read the graph wrong-- the divorce rate "dropped substantially up until the 30’s and 40’s, then has been rising slowly since" is a misleading statement. It's not 1930 and 1940 that are shown at the bottom of the graph, but Showa 30 and Showa 40, which are 1955 and 1965, respectively. So the divorce rate didn't start rising during the War as you might have thought, but about 20 years later, during the era of college demonstrations and Women's Lib. Just thought to straighten that out. It might not be a big deal, but you have read the graph wrong– the divorce rate “dropped substantially up until the 30’s and 40’s, then has been rising slowly since” is a misleading statement. It’s not 1930 and 1940 that are shown at the bottom of the graph, but Showa 30 and Showa 40, which are 1955 and 1965, respectively. So the divorce rate didn’t start rising during the War as you might have thought, but about 20 years later, during the era of college demonstrations and Women’s Lib.

Just thought to straighten that out.

]]> By: Gold http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-6228 Gold Sun, 01 Apr 2007 08:22:56 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-6228 The BBC published an article on this topic today. Great to see Stippy ahead of the game: <blockquote><strong>Japan set for divorce rate boom</strong> New pension laws coming into effect in Japan could lead to an explosion in divorces, some experts are warning. The rules will make it easier for wives to claim up to half their husband's pension once the marriage is over. The number of divorces in Japan has been rising for several decades, but the trend reversed four years ago when the new laws were first discussed. Many believe that wives in unhappy marriages have been waiting for the new laws to come into effect on Sunday. Japan's divorce rate is still quite low - around two divorces for every 1,000 marriages. Shame is one reason. A failed marriage is frowned upon here, particularly among the older generation. But money is another important factor. Wives often have real concerns that they will not be able to support themselves if they leave the marital home. <strong>Retirement looms</strong> The change in the law will help. It will make it easier for women to force their husbands to share their pensions. One survey suggested that in as many as 42,000 couples, wives have been waiting for the rules to change. Last autumn, the social insurance agency began offering a confidential service which helped couples calculate how much of the husband's pension should be given to the wife. Some 90% of the applications have been from women. And there is another factor at work. Japan's baby boom generation is starting to retire this year. That adds up to around five million mostly male workers, who have spent their lives working long hours, and often drinking long after work, several nights a week. These absentee spouses will now have much more time to spend at home - all day, every day - perhaps for the first time in the couple's married life. Many here believe that will prove too much for their wives to cope with. </blockquote> Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6515193.stm The BBC published an article on this topic today. Great to see Stippy ahead of the game:

Japan set for divorce rate boom

New pension laws coming into effect in Japan could lead to an explosion in divorces, some experts are warning. The rules will make it easier for wives to claim up to half their husband’s pension once the marriage is over.

The number of divorces in Japan has been rising for several decades, but the trend reversed four years ago when the new laws were first discussed. Many believe that wives in unhappy marriages have been waiting for the new laws to come into effect on Sunday.

Japan’s divorce rate is still quite low - around two divorces for every 1,000 marriages. Shame is one reason. A failed marriage is frowned upon here, particularly among the older generation. But money is another important factor. Wives often have real concerns that they will not be able to support themselves if they leave the marital home.

Retirement looms

The change in the law will help. It will make it easier for women to force their husbands to share their pensions. One survey suggested that in as many as 42,000 couples, wives have been waiting for the rules to change.

Last autumn, the social insurance agency began offering a confidential service which helped couples calculate how much of the husband’s pension should be given to the wife. Some 90% of the applications have been from women.

And there is another factor at work. Japan’s baby boom generation is starting to retire this year. That adds up to around five million mostly male workers, who have spent their lives working long hours, and often drinking long after work, several nights a week. These absentee spouses will now have much more time to spend at home - all day, every day - perhaps for the first time in the couple’s married life. Many here believe that will prove too much for their wives to cope with.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6515193.stm

]]> By: Gold http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-328 Gold Sun, 03 Dec 2006 03:58:42 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-328 Sorry for the lack in response to questions, the day job has taken over recently.. As far as i am aware Bob- This will not apply to foreigner pension refunds. One of the conditions of a refund is that you have not collected pension before. You will get the refund before your wife can get a chance to get her hands on the dosh. John B- She has to specifically apply. This system only applies to couples divorces after April 2007. From April 2007-08, applications require agreement from both the husband and wife, or decision by the courts. However, from 2008, this does not require the husbands agreement. Gullevek- Yes, like anything else there will be a squizillion pieces of paper to fill out. And Masuo-san, it does work the other way around. The purpose of this law is to remove the disparity in income between the (ex) husband and wife. Y- If you live overseas, and decide to get divorced overseas, remember, you can probably take half of everything he owns, so I wouldn't be so worried about the pension!! This system is extremely complicated, which is it part reflected by the large number of people contacting the information service. Who is eligible, for what period of what pension payments of the husband, and exactly how much the divorced wife will receive all seem to require an advanced maths degree to calculate. There have been a number of articles in the Nikkei recently highlighting these points. I guess if your ex-wife is going to run away with half of your cash, you'd hope that it is as hard as possible! Sorry for the lack in response to questions, the day job has taken over recently..

As far as i am aware

Bob- This will not apply to foreigner pension refunds. One of the conditions of a refund is that you have not collected pension before. You will get the refund before your wife can get a chance to get her hands on the dosh.

John B- She has to specifically apply. This system only applies to couples divorces after April 2007. From April 2007-08, applications require agreement from both the husband and wife, or decision by the courts. However, from 2008, this does not require the husbands agreement.

Gullevek- Yes, like anything else there will be a squizillion pieces of paper to fill out. And Masuo-san, it does work the other way around. The purpose of this law is to remove the disparity in income between the (ex) husband and wife.

Y- If you live overseas, and decide to get divorced overseas, remember, you can probably take half of everything he owns, so I wouldn’t be so worried about the pension!!

This system is extremely complicated, which is it part reflected by the large number of people contacting the information service. Who is eligible, for what period of what pension payments of the husband, and exactly how much the divorced wife will receive all seem to require an advanced maths degree to calculate. There have been a number of articles in the Nikkei recently highlighting these points. I guess if your ex-wife is going to run away with half of your cash, you’d hope that it is as hard as possible!

]]> By: Sofa http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-305 Sofa Mon, 27 Nov 2006 08:58:53 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-305 I guess guys who sense their wives waiting for this will have to get their act together and divorce their wives as soon as possible! Seems absurd, but you never know in this country. I guess guys who sense their wives waiting for this will have to get their act together and divorce their wives as soon as possible! Seems absurd, but you never know in this country.

]]> By: Y http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-287 Y Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:14:25 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-287 私の夫は外国人で年金を払ってないけど 私は国外でも義務感から払ってる。 ちゅうことは離婚したら半分持ってかれるってこと？？ 別の意味でやっぱり年金払うの考え直そうかな。 私の夫は外国人で年金を払ってないけど
私は国外でも義務感から払ってる。
ちゅうことは離婚したら半分持ってかれるってこと？？
別の意味でやっぱり年金払うの考え直そうかな。

]]> By: Oyaji101 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-283 Oyaji101 Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:52:17 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-283 I read an interesting article in Nikkan Sports about this the other day. Apparently the Social Insurance Agency set up an "information service" where you could ask for more information about the whole process of applying for your spouse's nenkin. Of the 1355 people who applied for more information, 1209 of them were women! As the title of the article says: お父さん大変です！ The article is here: <a href="http://www.nikkansports.com/general/f-gn-tp0-20061110-115096.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nikkansports.com/general/f-gn-tp0-20061110-115096.html</a> I read an interesting article in Nikkan Sports about this the other day. Apparently the Social Insurance Agency set up an “information service” where you could ask for more information about the whole process of applying for your spouse’s nenkin. Of the 1355 people who applied for more information, 1209 of them were women! As the title of the article says: お父さん大変です！

The article is here: http://www.nikkansports.com/general/f-gn-tp0-20061110-115096.html

]]> By: Masuo-san http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-271 Masuo-san Mon, 20 Nov 2006 03:57:35 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-271 good question. does it work the other way around, too? good question. does it work the other way around, too?

]]> By: gullevek http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-270 gullevek Mon, 20 Nov 2006 01:39:02 +0000 http://www.stippy.com/japan-life/til-pension-do-us-part-divorce-in-japan-set-to-skyrocket/#comment-270 As it is Japan you probably have to go through gazillions of documents and other stuff. Who knows. Plus, if she would always get half of your pension, even if she would have her own, that would be ridicolous unfair. As it is Japan you probably have to go through gazillions of documents and other stuff. Who knows. Plus, if she would always get half of your pension, even if she would have her own, that would be ridicolous unfair.

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