marriage Archives - Page 3 of 5

February 8, 2017

Is there any recourse for spouses in Japan who are facing domestic violence?

Domestic violence can take various forms, from physical abuse to mental abuse, and spouses who are victims of such abuse can feel as if there is nowhere to turn. This is especially true if that spouse is a foreign national who might not have confidence in their Japanese language ability or have worries about their immigration status. However, the Law on Prevention of Spouse Violence and Protection of Victims authorizes the Japanese government to support victims of such abuse through counseling, support and protective services.

December 23, 2016

Does a wife have the responsibility to pay off a debt that her husband created?

Married couples in Japan are responsible for sharing expenses related to the marriage. Specifically, if one spouse signs a contract with a third party regarding everyday household matters (such as a cleaning service) then the other spouse will also be a responsible party under this contract unless there is prior notice given that he or she will not assume any liability under the agreement. However, this sharing of costs for household necessities and daily expenses does not extend to liability incurred in other areas not related to the marriage. For example, barring some special circumstance, a wife will not be […]

September 2, 2016

What happens if a spouse won’t support his or her spouse’s visa renewal?

Certain visas to legally stay in Japan are based upon being married to a resident of Japan. This can include foreign nationals who are married to Japanese citizens and receive a spouse visa, or for foreign national couples where one spouse who has legal status in Japan is supporting the other through a family based visa. As these visas depend on the marital status of the couple, it is often critical for the spouses to work together to obtain a renewal of these visas. However, if the sponsoring spouse decides to withhold his or her cooperation in renewing a visa, there […]

August 15, 2016

What documents are required for a spousal visa in Japan?

By marrying a Japanese citizen, a foreign national becomes eligible to apply for a Japanese spousal visa. However, the application for the visa does require some preparation and is not automatically granted just based upon marriage. In addition to an application form, the new couple will need to submit the Japanese’s spouse’s family register and residence registration certificate to show that the couple is truly married. A foreign marriage certificate may also be required if the couple married overseas. Next, the couple will need to submit financial information, usually in the form of a residence tax certificate, for either spouse […]