Establishment of the "Family ADR/ODR Mediator Training Organization" and Press Conference Held

Relife Technology CEO Hironori Kobayashi, who serves as the Secretary General, held a press conference on Monday, March 30, 2026, to announce the establishment of the "Family ADR/ODR Mediator Training Organization."

On April 1, 2026, the Civil Code amendment will introduce the joint custody system, starting a new framework where parents cooperate to decide important matters for their children even after divorce. On the other hand, issues such as unpaid child support, poverty in single-parent households, lack of reflection of children's opinions, and the mental burden caused by prolonged mediation have been pointed out. Additionally, the shortage of human resources in courts is becoming serious, and there is an increasing demand for the expansion of the role of family ADR and ODR.

In response to this background, the organization was established by lawyers, researchers, and private ADR institutions to establish mediator training and certification systems, provide policy recommendations, and conduct public relations activities.

[Secretary General Comment (Hironori Kobayashi, CEO of Relife Technology Co., Ltd.)]
At the conference, Kobayashi stated the following:
"I believe that Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is an effective means of expanding choices for dispute resolution by eliminating time and location constraints. On the other hand, family issues such as divorce and custody cannot be solved by digitalization alone; the role of a mediator who understands the emotions and relationships of the parties involved is indispensable.

The 'Family ADR/ODR Mediator Training Organization' will be a significant step in improving the quality of dispute resolution in Japan by fostering the expertise, ethics, and dialogue skills of mediators alongside the spread of ODR. I hope that by complementing each other, technology and people will lead to a society where everyone can resolve troubles with peace of mind."

[Key Statements from the Press Conference]
Director Michiko Koizumi (Representative of the ADR Center for Families), drawing from her experience as a Family Court Investigating Officer, pointed out the reality of children being caught in disputes. She emphasized the importance of ADR, which prioritizes a process that parties can find satisfying, and the need for high-quality mediator training.

Director Hiromi Takeuchi (Lawyer, Deputy Secretary General of the Family Law Committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations) explained the significance of family ADR, where parties resolve issues through dialogue, based on cases where conflicts are worsened by court proceedings. She also spoke about the necessity of training mediators with specialized knowledge and skills.

Director Hideaki Irie (Professor at the Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University; Director of the Japan Association of Arbitrators and ADR) commented on...