When a parent can no longer make decisions, a court appoints someone to act for them on money and contracts, under ongoing professional supervision. Setup takes months, so it is no help in an emergency, and the court, not the family, often picks the guardian. Families reach for it too late or expect to choose freely. If capacity is slipping but not gone, look at the lighter tools first, since this one is heavy and slow.
Read more: Legal authority and guardianship
Related terms
- 任意後見（nin'i kouken）— voluntary guardianship
- 家族信託（kazoku shintaku）— family trust
- 日常生活自立支援事業（nichijou seikatsu jiritsu shien）— daily money management service
Where to go next
This word will come back at the home assessment or in the first care plan. The full Japanese elder care glossary holds 52 terms, and the long-term care insurance guide shows where each one sits in the process.
If you would rather someone handled the Japanese side, our care navigation service does that, and the first consultation is 30 minutes and free. Definitions here are general orientation and rules vary by municipality; see our editorial policy or contact us with your situation.