Research: I've searched google (Japanese adoption laws, adoption in Japan, etc) but all I can find is information regarding international adoptions, ie an American couple trying to adopt a Japanese child.
Can someone provide me with information on how the adoption process within Japan works? The character trying to adopt is a single man, in his late 20's. He's generally healthy, if that makes a difference, and is trying to adopt a child that has no disabilities and has no special needs requirements. What I'm specifically interested in is:
-How long it would take from contacting the agency to recieving full custody of the child
-What type of contact he would have with his potential son/daughter- only letters for the first few months? When would he be able to visit the child? Would he be able to actually take the child from their foster home/orphanage for an afternoon outing? Would he be able to take them for a stay overnight?
-If the child's birth parents or any relatives are still alive, would he have to meet with them?
-What type of legal process would he have to go through? Court dates? Some kind of inspection of where he lives?
Links to helpful sites would also be appreciated. Thanks!