Michael Cash wrote:

> I haven't heard of this new thing regarding court-ordered DNA
> paternity testing, but in general Japanese civil law does not provide
> the plaintiff with the ability to subpoena anything from the
> defendant, which means any evidence you want to use for your case, you
> have to come up with all on your own; the courts will not and can not
> compel the defendant to provide it.

The same lawyer who told me that said there was one other example of a 
judge being able to order that certain evidence be provided -- something 
to do with business accounting and I was too drunk to remember any 
details -- but, I _DO_ remember him saying that it took something like 
35 years before a lawyer found a judge willing to issue the order for 
the first time and it was a case where the defendant was obviously 
covering up.  I figure the kid in this case will be getting ready to 
collect his pension about the same time a judge orders a man to submit 
samples for paternity testing.  Although if the guy stayed at her place 
and used a toothbrush ...

> And even if you win a civil suit, you're pretty much on your own for
> collecting the damages.

They will send a police officer to the other person after 30 days and he 
will suggest that you meet and work out the payment or the police will 
frown at you from now on.

CL