The Hague Convention establishes an international framework for resolving disputes involving the wrongful removal or retention of children across international borders. It sets out procedures for securing the return of children to the country of their habitual residence and for facilitating cross-border contact between parents and children, as well as provisions for cooperation among Contracting States.
While the term "Hague Convention" may refer to any of the more than 40 conventions adopted by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), the term "Hague Convention" used in this page refers specifically to the "the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction", adopted in 1980.
Since the Convention entered into force for Japan in 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan's Central Authority) has been steadily implementing the Convention through a range of activities, including the acceptance and examination of applications for assistance with the return of children and contact with children under the Convention, providing various forms of assistance to the parties involved, coordinating with relevant domestic authorities and foreign Central Authorities, and conducting public outreach both domestically and internationally.
Implementation in Japan and Promotion of Understanding of the Hague Convention
(Note1) The Convention does not apply to the other regions of China.
(Note2) Contracting States not partnered with Japan
Contact
Hague Convention Division, Consular Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
[Address] 〒100-8919 Kasumigaseki 2-2-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
[Telephone Number] 03-3580-3311 (Main Phone Number for the Ministry)
[Hours] Weekdays 9:00-17:00 (except 12:30-13:30)
[E-mail] hagueconventionjapan★mofa.go.jp
(Note) To prevent spam, "@" is displayed as "★". When sending an email, replace "★" with "@".
(Note) The above is the contact information regarding the 1980 Hague Convention (Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction).
For matters related to the Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, please refer to "Methods for a Court of a Foreign State to Request Japan to Serve Judicial or Extrajudicial Documents and Take Evidence."
For inquiries regarding visas, passports, certifications (authentication of public documents/Apostille), and other matters not related to the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, please visit the page below for further information.
