Globalization has progressed and the number of international marriages has increased. There may be many people who are reminiscent of getting married to foreigners since they were young. But have you ever thought about the international divorce rate? Here I will talk about the divorce rate for international marriages.
How many people actually get divorce?
From 15% to 20%
The divorce rate for international marriages is said to be about 15% to 20%. On the other hand, the divorce rate between Japanese people is said to be around 35%, so you can see that the divorce rate for international marriages is still rather low.
However, on the other hand, there are couples who are divorced due to problems such as dissatisfaction with one of them, disagreement of personality, and lack of language. In particular, the reason for divorce for international marriage is that communication is not good.
Okinawa has the highest number!!
Okinawa has the US military base in Japan is located and the marriage rate between Japanese women and American men is high. But Okinawa’s international marriage rate is the number one in 47 prefectures. Its international marriage rate is 3.56%, double that of Tokyo’s second place, 1.84%.
Tokyo also has a Yokota base, but because Okinawa is a region that is strongly influenced by the US military base as a whole, such a background may be relevant.
The reason of divorce
Nothing in common
Before marriage, many couples say, “You can learn many cultures when you get married internationally” and “You get a wider view when you get married internationally”. Even if you grew up in the same country, you might get into a fight when you get married because of differences in growth. Even more so if they are people who grew up in different countries.
However, even if it is a foreign culture that feels attractive at first, if you continue your marriage and have too many differences, you will be tired of the differences. A couple living alone is fine, but when a child is born and the differences in values are overt, some people can’t compromise and choose to divorce.
Building their own life style is important
In the case of an internationally married couple, they are faced with differences in culture and values anyway, so if you focus only on those differences, you can say that each other is tired and stressed. That is why it is important to prepare for a new life with two people.
For example, even if one child is raised, the way is different. Humans tend to think that the way they know and are familiar is correct, but they need to consult with each other and raise their own children.
How to proceed divorce internationally
Turning in divorce paper in both countries
The process of international marriage itself is never easy. Submit a marriage registration to one of your countries, and if it is officially approved, submit to another country proof that it has been officially approved. If you are recognized in that country, the marriage will officially over.
That’s why the divorce is also the same. A divorce report must also be submitted to both countries, and a divorce can be established only if both are approved.
Procedure
If so, what would you do specifically if you were divorced? First, you have to think about which country’s laws to apply. Japanese law will apply if you both live in Japan or file a marriage registration in Japan when you proceed with the divorce process.
In addition, Article 25 of the General Law on the Application of the Law states, “The effect of marriage is based on the law when the couple’s home country law is the same. According to that law, when none of the laws exist, it is based on the law of the land that is most closely related to the couple. ” If the land on which the two people live is their home country, the laws of that country will apply.
When an internationally married couple is divorced, there is a consultation divorce or mediation divorce, referee divorce, and trial divorce. If a divorce is negotiated, two people will discuss and process a divorce notification in both countries. In the case of mediation divorce, the family court will accept the divorce. However, it is not as effective as a trial, so the consent of the couple is required. Referee divorce is a method in which a judge determines the divorce if the couple does not agree. Divorce is possible without the consent of the couple. In the case of a trial divorce, the divorce will be established if you win the trial. A trial divorce is established after mediation.
Just because “it sounds nice” doesn’t work for international marriage
My husband is from Europe and we are an internationally married couple. When I’m talking about international marriage, some people often say, “I want to do an international marriage in the future,” but in fact, international marriage is not established just by loving.
As I mentioned earlier, there are many cases where you have to accept the differences and compromise. It is not as sweet as it can be realized just because you want to live abroad. If you are thinking about international marriage, you must think about how much you can actually accept the difference.
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