International marriage (Japan)
This article is about marriage between a Japanese and a non-Japanese in accordance with the formalities provided by the law of Japan or of a foreign land. Procedures and rules mentioned in this article are mainly those of Japan, but in some cases other requirements are imposed by the homeland of the non-Japanese spouse, or by the foreign land where the concerned couple marry. In general. The legality of a marriage for each spouse is determined by the homeland law of the spouse. History. Marriage between a Japanese national and a non-Japanese person was  first officially permitted by act of law on March 14, 1873 (6th year of the Meiji Period). This day is informally known as International Marriage Day (国際結婚の日) and coincides with the modern White Day. Entering law before the former Meiji Constitution (1889) and the former Nationality Law (1899), international marriage at the time required both a permit and surrender of recognised social standing (分限). During 1986 to 1991, the period of Japanese bubble economy, labor shortages for "3D jobs" (dirty, dangerous, and demeaning) occurred in Japan. This situation created expand the migrant labor rates. However, the revised policy in 1990  prohibited unrestricted economic activities expect the only four kinds of visa, which include the "Spouse or child of a Japanese national". This policy legalizes all kinds of economic activity for marriage migrations. Homeland law. According to an Act of Japan on general rules, Required translation. Each paper, document mentioned in this article as required by Japan, if not written in Japanese, needs to be accompanied with translation into Japanese; one of the concerned persons can themself be the translator; their name must accompany the translation. Legal documents. When a Japanese and a non-Japanese are intending to marry Japanese regulations . Notification. If a couple including a Japanese citizen marry in Japan, the marriage is to be in accordance with Japanese law. Thus Japan requires notification of the marriage. Japan's diplomatic establishments abroad can not legally accept a notification of a marriage of this type. Competence certification as to the concerned non-Japanese. Japan requires competence certification as to the concerned non-Japanese, as a paper in principle, to be submitted; if the homeland (state / nation) is one which doesn't issue this certification, Family register. The fact the Japanese got married with the non-Japanese is to be recorded  in a family register with the concerned Japanese written at its head; if the Japanese is one not written at the head, a new family register for the concerned couple is to be created. Family name. While a rule of Japan for the common surname (i.e. family name) is not applied to the couple, the concerned Japanese can change his or her surname to that of the concerned non-Japanese spouse by filing notification as such. This notification, if not within 6 months of the day the marriage became effective, needs permission in advance from a family court. International marriages  in accordance with foreign legislation. Competence certification as to the concerned Japanese. If competence certification as to the concerned Japanese is required, the Japanese can request this certification as a paper this certification paper is called in Japanese. Certification as to the marriage. By a delivery of an authorized copy of certification as to the marriage issued by the foreign land (state / nation), the marriage is regarded under law of Japan as one in accordance with the formality of the foreign land. As the additional required documents, Japanese government requires foreigners(non-Japanese citizen) to provide a sworn Affidavit of Competency  to Marry, which is issued by their original country's embassy. Approve Marriage. All marriages must be registed at a Japanese municipal government office. One common mistake is that consular officers has no legal rights for marriage registration, neither does the religious or fraternal bodies in Japan. Notification. Japan requires the authorized copy of certification as to the marriage within 3 months of the day the marriage got effective; when the authorized copy of certification is legally accepted, the fact the Japanese got married with the non-Japanese is to be recorded in the family register of the concerned Japanese .' National Identity. Korean-Japanese. After marriage, most of the Korean residents would still treat themselves as ethnically Korean, but no direct relation to North or South Korean anymore. Obtaining a pure Japanese nationality would not become a betrayal to Korean identity. Filipino-Japanese. Filipino(language) consists most of the identity issue. Children inside Filipino-Japanese family are usually required to learn Filipino, Japanese and English, with purpose of communicating with Filipino relatives, daily communication(live in Japan) and exploring the international world. The identity of being "doubles"(both Japanese and Filipino) is expected on a child. Marriage and Divorce Trends (new). Marriage(2007-2013 ). Since 2007, the intermarriage rate (including "one of couple is foreigner") has decreased, from 5.6% (2007) to 3.2% (2013). Specifically, the rate of "Japanese groom and foreign bride" decreased from 4.4% to 2.3%. The rate of "Japanese bride and foreign groom" decreased from 1.2% to 0.9%. Divorce(2009-2013). Since 2009, the divorce rate among international couples(including "one of couple is foreigner") has decreased from 7.6% (2009) to 6.5% (2013). In the sub-category of "Japanese husband and foreign wife", the divorce rate even lowered from 6.1% to 5.1%, while the rate among "Japanese wife and foreign husband" slightly decreased, from  1.5% to 1.4%.