Asian Law Voices Episode 5 - Comparisons between the Australian and Japanese Guardianship Systems
This episode features Japanese court official Nozomu Okada comparing Japan's structured adult guardianship system with Victoria's rights-based model.
This episode of Asian Law Voices discusses Japan’s adult guardianship system, outlining its four categories and its strong emphasis on court supervision and asset management. The challenges, such as cost and limited flexibility, are also mentioned. The episode contrasts Japan’s approach with Victoria’s more individualised, rights‑based model and highlights the need for reforms that promote greater autonomy and accessibility. The description of the Japanese system in this episode reflects the situation at the time of Court Official Okada’s research.
This episode is hosted by Associate Professor Stacey Steele, in conversation with Court Official Nozomu Okada.
Court Official Nozomu Okada has been working for the Japanese courts since 2009. From June 2023, he spent one year in Victoria conducting research on its guardianship system. His earlier involvement in guardianship practice at the Kyoto Family Court for two years beginning in 2020 led him to pursue this research. Court Official Okada is serving as a Section Chief in charge of public relations in the General Affairs Division of the Osaka District Court.