Must I travel to Japan to sign?

No — sign rikon todoke at Japanese Embassy Bangkok; but 2 witnesses need Japanese inkan if filing at ward office

Custody of half-Japanese child?

Pre-Apr 2026: sole custody only — Japanese courts award mother in 80%. Post-Apr 2026: optional joint custody via mediation

When does spouse visa expire?

6 months post-divorce registration; can switch to teijūsha if raising Japanese child

How are Japanese assets split?

Zaisan bunyo 50/50 default for marital property; mortgaged home calculated on equity after debt

🇹🇭🇯🇵 Thai–Japanese Divorce

Civil law · Minpō (Civil Code) §763–§771

Quick Answer

Thai-Japanese divorce: Kyōgi rikon (mutual consent) simplest — sign rikon todoke and file at ward office in 1 day. Big issue: Japan grants sole custody only (until April 2026 optional joint reform) — Thai fathers often lose access. Hague 1980 in force for Japan since 2014.

Uncontested: 1–3 (kyōgi rikon) months
Contested: 18–36 (mandatory chōtei mediation first) months
Fees: THB 85,000–420,000
Waiting period: 0 (kyōgi rikon) · 6 (mediated chōtei) · 12+ (contested saiban)
Hague Abduction 1980: ✓ Member
Fault-based: No (no-fault)

Jurisdiction & Recognition

Competent court: Thai court OR Kateisaibansho (Family Court) — plaintiff's residence.

Recognition of Thai judgment in Thai–Japanese: Kyōgi rikon (協議離婚 mutual consent) via koseki filing at ward office; Thai judgment recognized via Hōrei §22 if reciprocity + due process. Register at Japanese Embassy Bangkok or ward office (yakusho).

Matrimonial Regime

System: Separation of property (§762) default; equitable distribution on divorce (zaisan bunyo §768)

Conflict with Thai law: Zaisan bunyo (財産分与) typically 50/50 of marital assets but excludes gifts/inheritance; Thai §1474 similar but calculation differs on retirement lump sums.

Spousal support: Iryōhi (慰謝料) if fault-based; monthly maintenance rare; lump-sum settlement common

Child support: Yōikuhi santei-hyō (養育費算定表) income/age tables

Child Custody

Standard: Sole custody (shinken 親権) still default — Japan does NOT grant joint custody (April 2026 law reform to introduce optional joint custody)

Hague Abduction 1980: Member — return order within 6 weeks

Insider Playbook

Kyōgi rikon — sign rikon todoke with 2 witnesses, file at shiyakusho — 0 JPY fee
If Japanese spouse won't sign = mandatory chōtei mediation before saiban rikon can be filed
Child custody: Japan strictly sole shinken — non-Japanese fathers often get only menkai kōryū (visitation)
Kōseki auto-updates after rikon todoke; Thai amphoe must be filed separately
Company pension split via nenkin bunkatsu seido — file within 2 years
Spouse of Japanese national visa expires 6 months post-divorce — switch to teijūsha if raising Japanese child
Hague 1980 Central Authority (MOFA Japan) — do not remove child from Japan without consent

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

Signing rikon todoke without understanding custody assignment = irreversible after filing
Thai father removing child to Thailand = Hague abduction; Thai court must return within 6 weeks
Missing 2-year nenkin bunkatsu window = permanent pension forfeiture

FAQ

Must I travel to Japan to sign?: No — sign rikon todoke at Japanese Embassy Bangkok; but 2 witnesses need Japanese inkan if filing at ward office
Custody of half-Japanese child?: Pre-Apr 2026: sole custody only — Japanese courts award mother in 80%. Post-Apr 2026: optional joint custody via mediation
When does spouse visa expire?: 6 months post-divorce registration; can switch to teijūsha if raising Japanese child
How are Japanese assets split?: Zaisan bunyo 50/50 default for marital property; mortgaged home calculated on equity after debt