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Japan Panel to reconvene regarding Joint Custody

By on April 18, 2023

The Legislative Council’s family law subcommittee which advises the justice minister, held a meeting behind closed doors on Tuesday to discuss the introduction of Joint Custody.

Under Japan’s current family law, joint custody of children applies only to married couples. After divorce, only one parent retains legal parental responsibility for the child which has been the subject of domestic family law disputes involving non-Japanese parents for a long time.

According to sources, many panel members see the need to revise the current law which prohibits the shared custody of children, without exception.

In November last year, the subcommittee compiled an interim report that listed proposals for introducing a joint custody system and for maintaining the current scheme that gives sole custody to either parent after divorce.

 The panel is expected to consider options available to divorcing couples between a joint or sole custody of their children.

Some subcommittee members remain wary that allowing a joint custody option could lead to continued domestic violence after a divorce.

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