Adoption does not end with the conclusion of the adoption process. It is an important and lifelong process for adopted children, their adoptive parents, and their birth parents and relatives. ISSJ considers the support of “telling” and life story work, as well as the establishment of one’s personal history and the tracing of one’s roots, to be important aspects of the adoption support process, that enable adopted children to understand their own lives in a positive manner.
Before You Begin Tracing Your Roots
ISSJ often fields questions such as, “Why was I put up for adoption?” “Do I have any biological siblings?” and “Can I meet my birth parents?” from adopted children. In some cases, however, we are unable to obtain sufficient information about the adopted child’s roots, and the information we are able to obtain may not be enough to answer all of their questions. Please take a look here before you begin tracing your roots.
Looking For Adoption Records
This section provides information on the historical background about adoption system in Japan and records relating to tracing.
Post-Adoption Consultation Service
ISSJ operates the Post-Adoption Consultation Service with a grant from the Nippon Foundation. It is available to all those involved in the adoption process (adopted children, adoptive parents, birth parents/relatives, etc.), as well as their supporters. Please contact us either by phone or e-mail(postadoption@issj.org).
We can assist you in obtaining documents based on the information you have at hand, work with you to locate adoption records, and present you with other means of support we have available. We offer consultations in various areas, whether it be finding out the reason you were put up for adoption, learning more about your birth parents, getting in contact with your birth parents, etc. *While all consultations are free of charge, there will be fees for the ordering of documents.