Anniversary of the Child Welfare Act in Japan

On this day, December 12th, in 1947 the Child Welfare Act was promulgated. The law came into effect the following year, 1948, with some exceptions, on January 1, and came into full effect on April 1 that same year.

The Child Welfare Act in Japan sets out the basic principles for the organization of public agencies responsible for child welfare, as well as overseeing various facilities and programs.  In the Child Welfare Act the term "child" refers to a person under the age of 18.

In Japan, "child" is divided into three groups. One, "infants", which are those children under the age of one. Two, "toddlers", which are children aged between one and the start of elementary school. Three, "juveniles" refers to all children who are between the start of elementary school and the age of 18.