日系 Nikkei Ancestry

What is a Koseki?

A koseki [Family Register] is a document the Japanese record their family information. The Japanese government requires all citizens to register at one address under one head of household. These registers list details of birth, marriage, adoption, death, divorce and other matters affecting the family structure are all recorded from as far back as the mid-1800.

If your of a family relation you may contact the city office for a copy and you will be required to prove your relation, but the best way to obtain them is through your family. If you’re in contact with relatives in Japan, then ask them, they may already have a copy for themselves. Otherwise, you may do a request yourself, but the rules on obtaining them have become more strict. You may only do a request if your an immediate family member or through an attorney for legal purposes.

However, some city offices are still providing them to relatives who ask, so it wouldn’t hurt to try.

On May 1, 2008, a new law was implemented to limit the persons eligible for a copy to the persons whose names are recorded in a given koseki and those who need such a copy to exercise their due rights (debt collectors, executors of wills). Anyone who’s listed on a koseki is legally able to get a copy of the koseki, even if his or her name has been crossed off by reason of divorce or moved. One can obtain a copy in person or by mail. Lawyers can also obtain copies of any koseki if a person listed is involved in legal proceedings. – Wiki Koseki

Koseki Document - Pictures not included

If you would like a koseki request form to use for your request, register for a membership at the Nikkei Ancestry Forum. Once registered and approved you may go to the download page, locate the koseki request form I used to make my requests.

A researcher should also know the kanji used for the family name, and the name of the head of household. Some times names are written on immigration records, war relocation authority (WRA) records or from the local Japanese consulate records. Address of the city office is also needed, and the request can be sent to that office with a fee.

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