#None #Child Welfare #Foster Care #Adoption System

The Significance of Foster Care Month

October is designated as Foster Care Month in Japan, a time when awareness and understanding of the foster care system take center stage. The Child and Family Agency government strives to ensure that children in need of social care can grow safely and healthily in environments as similar to family settings as possible. This initiative centers on the philosophy of prioritizing family upbringing and promotes fostering as an integral element of child welfare.

Campaign Highlights

During this month, a nationwide campaign is organized that collaborates with local governments, child welfare facilities, foster care support organizations, and other related entities. The objective is to enhance public understanding and interest in foster care, thereby encouraging more families to consider fostering children in need.

The Foster Care Special Website serves as a vital resource, providing an array of materials such as explanatory content about the system, experiences from foster parents and children raised in foster care, and promotional multimedia. To learn more, you can visit the link: Expand the Circle of Foster Care.

This system cannot thrive solely on the efforts of foster parents. The understanding and support of the community is paramount for its success. Therefore, the Child and Family Agency is undertaking several initiatives through October to broaden the circle of understanding about foster care.

Key Initiatives for 2026

1. Radio Broadcast: A regular government PR program will feature the foster care system. The show, titled Sugiura Taiyo & Matsui Rena's Sunday Learning, will air on October 18, focusing on the importance of fostering in shaping children's futures. The show reaches over 38 stations nationwide.
2. Symposium: A symposium showcasing the thoughts of current foster parents and individuals raised in foster care will be held on October 3, 2026. This event aims to spread their messages widely. Registrations can be made through the provided link.
3. Social Media Campaign: The Child and Family Agency will utilize official social media accounts to spread awareness about foster care.
4. Television Commercials: Utilizing terrestrial television, which frequently engages the public, the agency plans to broaden awareness of the foster care system across Japan.
5. Printed Media: A full-page advertisement will appear in major national newspapers, including Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun, on October 1, 2026.
6. Posters and Leaflets: To raise awareness, various informative materials have been created, which can be accessed and used by any interested parties.

Understanding Foster Care

Currently, about 42,000 children in Japan live apart from their parents due to various circumstances. To ensure these children can lead secure lives and develop both mentally and physically, community support is crucial. The government emphasizes that even when children are no longer able to live with their parents, they should be raised in environments akin to family settings.

The foster care system is a core initiative aimed at securing family-like environments for children who cannot be raised in their biological families due to issues such as parental illness, abuse, or economic hardships. Presently, approximately 6,700 children live in foster homes across the country, with the number steadily increasing each year.

Living in a foster family provides children with a chance to build stable, affectionate relationships with responsible adults, which is crucial for developing self-esteem and trust. Moreover, being in a nurturing family setting allows tailored upbringing that aligns with each child's unique personality and developmental stage, fostering the groundwork for future independence.

Historical Context of Foster Care Month

The foster care system was established under the Child Welfare Act of 1947 and was officially implemented with the Guidelines for Family Foster Care on October 4, 1948, which later became known as