I need some help with a legal matter in Japan?

Question

I have a friend who is married and in a very abusive physically and mentally relationship where the husband refuses to give her a divorce. She wants to get away but has no idea what to do. Isnt there any law that can help her here? She would like to move to the US but cant remarry because he wont divorce her. Any visa options for her if she cant get a divorce??? Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

Inasfar as a visa, a Green Card with an employer sponsoring her -- preference given to certified health care workers and au pairs. Or, a Student Visa at a university. Check the requirements at the US Consulate or Embassy for Japan online.

Answer 2

There's one 'Women's Plaza' in every each prefecture in Japan.  You can call there and consult with a caseworker or lawyer.

Tokyo Women's Plaza

03-5467-2455

If your friend lives other place in Japan, there are also a welfare center in every city. People in welfare center can tell her where she ask help.

Legal help center called 'Hou-Terasu' can also tell some legal adviser's office.

Hou-Terasu call center

0570-078374

Answer 3

It would help to know the nationality of both parties but here are some things to think about.

1.When a man in Japan refuses to divorce his wife that doesnt mean she cannot get a divorce. It means that the legal procedure will take a little longer. She CAN divorce him.

First step is simply to get the heck out of the situation. Find a friend, relative or somene. Pack up and disappear.

Step two. Contact a lawyer. If she doesnt have enough money, she can get free legal assistance through the Japanese Bar Association. She can contact the Bar Association or go to her ward office and find out what days they have free legal advice.

2.Divorcing someone in Japan while your in the states is pretty darn difficult since she would have to contact a lawyer in Japan anyway. Still, she could get the process going with a lawyer in Japan and then leave.

Thats a famous threat in Japan that Japanese men often use..."I wont grant you a divorce".  Its stupid at best.

The only other thing to think about is that since the wife will be filing for divorce and she is the one that wants out, she may not get a whole lot of financial support. If however she goes and tries to get a divorce on the grounds of mental and physical violence, she may get some financial compensation out of it.

When she leaves she should make sure she has all the info on her husband she can get. Name, address, phone number, age, parents address, company address.

There are lots of women in Japan with the exact same problem. If her husband is dangerous, then she needs to make sure she cannot be found and let her lawyer handle the rest.