The government of Japan has taken a major step to ensure financial protection for children in divorced families by finalizing a statutory child-support payment of ¥20,000 per child per month. The change announced by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on November 28, 2025 is part of a broader legal reform aimed at safeguarding the welfare of children after parental separation.
Why This Move Matters
Under existing laws, child support after a divorce has typically depended on either a negotiated agreement between parents or a court order. However, in many cases especially in divorces involving single parents child support either was never agreed upon or went unpaid, leaving custodial parents and children vulnerable. A 2021 government survey found that only 28.1% of single-mother households and just 8.7% of single-father households actually received child support from the non-custodial parent.
By setting a legally mandated minimum payment, the government aims to reduce such disparities and ensure children receive at least a basic level of financial support, even if parents fail to negotiate or follow through on support agreements. The ¥20,000 amount was calculated based on what the government deems the “standard cost of maintaining the minimum standard of living for a child.”
What the New Rule Entails
- The statutory child support rule will apply automatically in divorces concluded on or after April 1, 2026 the date when the revised Civil Code of Japan comes into force.
- Under the new system, a custodial parent can claim ¥20,000 per child per month from the other parent even if there was no prior agreement or court order on child support.
- The scheme is designed to be a “temporary and supplementary” baseline measure meaning actual child-support amounts may still be adjusted based on factors such as the paying parent’s income, number of children, and child’s needs.
- To enforce payment, the law will also grant custodial parents the right to seize certain assets of non-paying ex-spouses. Under the regulation, child-support claims will take priority over other creditors with an upper limit of ¥80,000 per child per month.
Reactions and Criticisms
While the introduction of a statutory baseline has been lauded by many social-welfare advocates as a necessary safety net, some voices argue the amount is insufficient. During the public-comment period, several stakeholders pushed for a higher floor suggesting ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 per child per month to better reflect real costs of child rearing.
The MoJ, however, defended the ¥20,000 figure as “reasonable,” emphasizing that the statutory payment is meant to guarantee a minimum standard until a full support agreement is reached.
What the Reform Aims to Achieve
Taken together with another reform that will introduce a statutory joint-custody option for divorced parents, the new child-support legislation reflects a broader effort by the Japanese government to stabilize children’s post-divorce lives emotionally, legally, and financially.
By ensuring even divorced single-parent households have access to at least minimal support, the government hopes to reduce the risk of poverty among children, increase fairness in parental responsibility, and ease the burden on custodial parents who otherwise might struggle to make ends meet.
Originally written by:BY JESSICA SPEED
Link to the original article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/28/japan/society/statutory-child-support/
