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
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).