World News | Japan passes a revised law allowing divorced parents to have joint custody for the first time

TOKYO, May 17 (AP) Japan's parliament on Friday approved an amendment to the country's civil code giving divorced parents the option of joint custody, a change that brings the country in line with many other countries.

The overhaul, the first to child custody in nearly 80 years, is expected to take effect by 2026. It will allow divorced parents to choose between dual or sole custody, while requiring them to help ensure the rights and well-being of their children.

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Under current law, only one divorced parent has custody, almost always the mother.

The change comes as the number of divorces increases in Japan and a growing number of divorced fathers hope to stay in touch with their children. A series of high-profile accusations from divorced foreign fathers blaming their former partners for kidnapping their children and returning them to Japan also encouraged change.

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The new regulation provides for the parent who is not the main guardian to contribute to the costs of raising the child. Currently, most divorced mothers, who are often part-time, low-income workers, do not receive financial support from their former husbands.

According to the new version, in cases where domestic violence or abuse by one parent is suspected, the other person has sole custody.

Proponents of joint custody say it allows both divorced parents to play a role in raising children. Opponents, including human rights groups and some victims of domestic violence, have raised concerns that the new system could make it harder for parents to cut ties with abusive spouses and may not give them a real say in custody decisions.

The concerns led to some changes to the legislation during parliamentary debate to require authorities to ensure the custody decision was not one-sided.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that the revisions address concerns raised by victims of domestic violence and their families. But the improvements don't go far enough and the risk to vulnerable family members remains high, said Kazuko Ito, a lawyer who campaigned against the revision.

According to the revision, divorced parents who choose joint custody must reach consensus on their children's education, long-term medical treatment and other important issues, and must seek a decision from the family court if an agreement cannot be reached.

Each parent can decide on their children's daily activities, such as: B. Private lessons and meals or emergency treatment.

The revision should be reviewed five years after it comes into force. (AP)

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