[First in Minamikawachi] New Support for Securing Child Support After Divorce: New Initiative Launched

Habikino City continues its efforts to support the healthy growth of children in single-parent households by promoting child support security. As a first in the Minamikawachi region, the city has launched a new subsidy for costs related to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures conducted by certified private dispute resolution providers.

Social Issues Related to Single-Parent Families

While the economic poverty of single-parent households is recognized as a social issue, the revised Civil Code introduced statutory child support, allowing claims even without a prior agreement. However, this is only a provisional and supplementary system; a separate agreement is necessary to receive an appropriate amount considering individual circumstances.

According to the FY2021 National Survey on Single-Parent Households (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), 51.2% of mother-child households and 69% of father-child households have not made child support arrangements, meaning over half of such households lack formal agreements.

Furthermore, 38.3% of working mother-child households are employed part-time or as temporary workers, a rate significantly higher than the 4.9% for father-child households. This disparity is believed to affect average annual earned income, indicating that many mother-child households face economic challenges.

Past Efforts, Challenges, and Habikino City's New Initiative

Habikino City has been implementing support projects for securing child support, including the "Notarial Deed Preparation Promotion Subsidy Program" since FY2022, the "Child Support Guarantee Promotion Subsidy Program" since FY2022, and the "Child Support Security Support Program" since FY2025.

As a unique city initiative, it has also been continuously holding "Pre- and Post-Divorce Parent Support Workshops" since FY2023, supporting parents struggling with issues related to divorce, such as child support and co-parenting.

Previously, support focused on the period after a child support agreement was made, covering costs for notarial deeds and subsequent guarantee company contracts. This new initiative, however, leverages the characteristics of ADR to support the period before an agreement is made, facilitating child support arrangements with less burden. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Minamikawachi region.

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?

ADR is a dispute resolution process conducted by certified private dispute resolution providers (certified ADR providers) outside of court. An impartial and neutral third party intervenes, listens carefully to both sides, and facilitates discussions using specialized knowledge to resolve the dispute.

It is characterized by being faster, more flexible, and less costly than litigation while maintaining expertise.

Project Overview

Subsidy Program for Promoting the Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Child Support Agreements

Start Date: June 1, 2026 (Monday)

Eligibility: Residents of Habikino City who meet the requirements and are currently raising a child who is the subject of a child support agreement (income restrictions apply).

Project Details: A subsidy for a portion of the costs incurred when making arrangements regarding child support through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Subsidy Amount: Up to 40,000 yen

Contact Information

Habikino City, Child and Smile Department, Child Policy Division, Child Support Section

Phone: 072-958-1111 (ext. 1220)

Email: kodomoseisaku@city.habikino.lg.jp