A government panel submitted a report to Justice Minister Ryuji Koizumi on Thursday on overhauling the civil code and suggested allowing divorced parents to have joint custody of their children.
Based on the Legislative Council report, the government plans to submit a bill during the current regular session of Parliament.
Currently, in Japan, only one of the divorced parents is granted parental authority. However, the report calls for parents to have the opportunity to decide on joint custody through negotiations.
If parents cannot agree under the proposed joint custody system, a family court would make a decision based on the child's interests and family relationships. If there is a risk of domestic violence or abuse, a family court will decide on sole custody.
On Thursday, the Council also presented proposals to revise criminal procedure law to promote the use of information technology in investigations and criminal proceedings, such as the introduction of electronic arrest and search warrants to be applied for and issued online, as well as the digitization of interrogation and trial protocols, which are currently available in paper form.
The planned revision aims to reduce the burden on affected employees and speed up criminal proceedings.
The council also called for an overhaul of the building ownership law to ease requirements for replacing aging condominiums.
Under current law, condominium exchanges require the consent of at least four-fifths of the owners. Under the revised law, the requirement would be reduced to three-quarters or more if certain conditions are met, such as inadequate earthquake and fire resistance levels.
The government wants to encourage building replacements at a time when the number of old condominiums is increasing and their owners are aging.
Comments are closed.