Show notes
Japan sees around 83,000 adoptions each year, but did you know that 98% of those are adults, mostly adult men in their 20s and 30s? Let’s find out when the practice of adult adoption started, and how it fits into modern day society. Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected] - @franklinthewomanCheyenne - @lostwithlowWords mentioned/useful words:婿 muko = son-in-law朝ドラ asa dora - morning drama おばけ obake - ghost株式会社 kabushiki gaisha - ltd.考え方 kangae kata - way of thinking施設 shisetsu - facilityReferences/sources:Adult adoptions: Keeping Japan's family firms alivehttps://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19505088Why Do Adult Adoptions Abound in Japan’s Business World?https://unseen-japan.com/adult-adoptions-japan/Everything You Need to Know about Adult Adoptionhttps://www.americanadoptions.com/adoption/adult-adoptionCan an Adult Be Legally Adopted in the UK?https://www.crispandco.com/site/blog/family-law-blog/can-an-adult-be-legally-adopted-in-the-ukSlow Progress for Women in Management Positions in Japanhttps://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02517/Share of female managers in Japan still short of government targethttps://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/08/24/companies/women-managerial-positions-survey/Marriage Hunting Servicehttps://www.ibj-gl.com/service/More on matchmaking services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHk-w41LZwYHoushi ryokanhttps://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19505088https://www.openculture.com/2025/04/hoshi-a-short-documentary-on-the-1300-year-old-hotel.html#google_vignetteThings are changing at the world's oldest hotel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8W2LIfl5REIbaraki offers cash for tips on undocumented foreign workershttps://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16368466Marriage equality in Japan: what alternatives are there?https://whatthetrans.com/marriage-equality-in-japan-what-alternatives-are-there/Many adoptions in Japan are not about raising children:https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2017/04/many-adoptions-in-japan-are-not-about-raising-children/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20prevent%20excessive,2.)Ibaraki Prefecture To Offer Cash Rewards for Reporting Illegal Foreign Workershttps://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/ibaraki-undocumented-worker-reward-program-2026/Female leadership https://forbesjapan.com/articles/detail/76853?n=1&e=77114Time stamps00:00 hi/question for y’all02:42 rewards for reporting undocumented foreigners10:21 shoulder ramming in Shibuya incident15:34 adult adoption17:07 history of adult adoption23:12 saving on inheritance tax25:51 oldest family run businesses in Japan37:44 companies where women took over41:37 matchmaking for mukoyoshi43:32 adult adoption for same sex couples45:23 adult adoption around the world47:07 final thoughts