Run by the welfare council, this service helps a parent with fading judgment handle bills and banking without the weight of guardianship. It is the right first rung when someone is still mostly independent but missing payments. Families overseas often jump straight to guardianship or quietly take over the accounts; this is the gentler, supervised middle path. Ask the welfare council or support center whether the parent qualifies.
Read more: Managing a parent's finances
Related terms
- 社会福祉協議会（shakyou）— social welfare council
- 成年後見制度（seinen kouken）— adult guardianship
- 任意後見（nin'i kouken）— voluntary guardianship
Getting help with this
See the full Japanese elder care glossary, or start with our long-term care insurance guide. If you would rather have someone handle the Japanese side, our care navigation service helps foreign families step by step, and you can contact us with your situation. Definitions are general orientation; rules vary by municipality (see our editorial policy).