The Seifuen Orphanage, Sasebo Japan

[SMIrvine]

This orphanage is really amazing. My wife was previously married to a
Japanese man and they had two children. When they divorced, he received
custody under a signed agreement that if something ever happened to him
that the custody of the children would go to their mother. Well, he died
in May of 2007 and before passing he told someone that he does not want
the kids going to their mother. So they have been in an Orphanage for
the past 20 months and in the beginning the Orphanage let the kids see
their mother, then only phone calls then they said we could only drop off
presents and they would give them to the kids, but we could no longer see
the kids. Well, we just went there today to give them a present for her
son's 7th birthday which is today and they said that the head person in
charge told them not to accept anything from their mother. He had received
a call from the court that we are proceeding with action to get custody, so
now they will not even allow their mother to give them a gift. This orphanage
has received so much from the U.S. Military in the form of money, appliances,
and just help with doing things for the kids and now they turn around and slap
us in the face because my wife is trying to get custody of her kids and they
don't want to release them. The Orphanage actually very recently went
through the court and received an order appointing the kids half-brother as
guardian and no one even knows where he is and he is in no condition nor
does he even want custody of the kids. All I can think of is that the Seifuen
Orphanage in Sasebo is keeping the kids so they can collect money from the
Japanese government. I wish there was someone that could bring this to the
public because I think this is just an unbelievable act of injustice. Why doesn't
the Orphanage look out for the best interest of the children? I just wanted to
throw my frustration out there for anyone to comment on. Thank you.

[Livvie]

I have a feeling that this has been copied and pasted around the internet in many forums, but it's still sort of interesting if they are doing that.

[SMIrvine]

I don't know if anyone has copied and pasted our story since I first typed
it last Thursday night but this is my story, first hand from my wife and I.
These are my wifes kids and we are looking for someone that can help and
apply some pressure to make this Japanese man that obviously has not
compassion or feelings, to be at least reasonable as we proceed through the
legal process of obtaining custody of my wife's kids from her previous
marriage. I'm also sending a letter this coming week to the Embassy to
see if they can help. I am also active duty Navy and the base here has
done many good things for this Orphanage including donating money and
appliances and even giving $50 gifts to the kids for their birthdays, but then
they turn away my wife who just wants to give a birthday gift to her son.
If I had my way, I would love to put our story on 60 minutes or Oprah
or some way of getting publicity to really embarass this organization!!

[SMIrvine]

In case anyone out there speaks Japanese and would like to call the
Seifuen Orphanage to let them know that what they are doing is wrong,
their number is: from Japan 0956-24-5080 or from outside Japan:
81-956-24-5080. All that we want from them right now is to allow
my wife to drop off a birthday present to her son, not even to see him,
because we already know that they will not allow her to visit them in
person because they are afraid that she will tell them that we are going
to get custody soon and they don't want us to get their hopes up.
I'm sure this all started because it was more important to her ex husband
for his kids to remain Japanese citizens than to be with their real mother who is married to an American and his kids to become American citizens. That is the only thing that I can imagine or the Orphanage is just greedy for the
money from the government of Japan and it's more important for them to
get the money than to let the kids go back to their mother. My wife
does not work so she can be with them and provide the care and love they need and my income is plent enough to provide a much higher standard of living than they could ever experience in the orphanage. Thank you.

[MMM]

Without knowing anyone's names, there wouldn't be much use to a third-party calling, I am afraid.

[Nyororin]

I hate to be the one to inject some reality into this perfectly beautiful and seemingly tragic story...

But...

In Japan, except in extreme cases, custody of children is granted to the mother. This happens even if the mother wants to give it up, and often even if the father goes to court over it. As divorces here are always handled via the courts, it isn`t simply a matter of making the decision between the two parents.

In other words, there pretty much has to be a reason why the children went to their father... And a very good reason for the court not to intervene for them to go to her now if in an orphanage.

In most cases, it is documented neglect or abuse - or criminal activities by the mother.

I don`t mean to be cruel, but I would look VERY VERY hard at the original circumstances. Both for the sake of the children, your marriage, and any potential future children.

[Livvie]

Irvine, I thought it was copied and pasted because of the formatting of the post, and the fact that it was your first post ever.

You *could* probably write to Oprah about it. Why not?

[SMIrvine]

The kids last name are "Yoshioka", boy is seven and girl is twelve. They will know who they are as they only have about 45-50 kids there.

Also, my response to the other comment:

You make a good point and it is probably a normal
response or thought from most people. The reason
the father got custody in the beginning was financial
and the fact that their mother was working night time
to make enough money so that she could get a place
to live when she left. The court felt that with her working nights that she would be sleeping during the
day and could not care for her kids. My wife is a
very loving wife and also mother of our new 10 month
old baby, she also has a 15 year old daughter that
was her's prior to getting married to the Japanese
man that of course was able to stay with her because
the Japanese man did not want to keep her anyhow.
My 15 year old step daughter has turned out to be
a wonderful teenager. The is absolutely no reason
in this world for that orphanage to treat my wife
the way they are. That's what is upsetting me
so much and I'm taking my fight with them as far
as the internet will reach!! My wife has never been
in any trouble and has a perfectly clean record. I do
understand your response as I believe that would
be a common feeling. Thanks.

[MMM]

So she has children with three different fathers?

I do understand what you are saying and what you are trying to do, but things like that are looked down upon more in Japan, I think, then back here in the US.

I am not excusing the orphanage in any way...but at the same time, I only know half the story.

[SMIrvine]

Well, I don't know if anyone was praying for us or if it was pressure from
the court or this government agency that looks out for the welfare of the
children, but they management has agreed to accept a birthday gift from
their mother, my wife. The management there still will not allow us to
visit or see them. The court and also the agency do not understand
why the management is acting this way. I think I now realize what it is.
The base here in Sasebo used to do more for the Orphanage but has
received resistance to help from the American base. Since I am an
American and now realizing that they have been resisting aid and assistance
from the base, it appears to me that this is possibly racially motivated, that
the Orphanage for some reason don't like Americans. It just seems that way
and it's the message that the current administration is sending. Anyhow,
it looks like some progress is being made but in very small steps.