| In Japan, the issue of child custody has been an area | | | | their child into Japan and refuse any contact with the |
| of international contention ever since human rights and | | | | foreign father. This is regardless of what custody |
| the equal rights of both parents have become so | | | | arrangements have been made in other countries. So |
| widespread. In the UK and many other countries, when | | | | for example, if a Japanese woman married an |
| a couple separate, child custody is decided based on | | | | American man in the US and had a child together, |
| the grounds of which parent is most able to care for | | | | separated and were granted joint custody in the US, |
| the child or children. If both parents are able then they | | | | the mother could still take her child back to Japan and |
| will share joint custody. However, in Japan, when a | | | | prevent her ex-husband from gaining access to the |
| couple separate one partner is given sole custody of | | | | child. |
| the child or children and it is usually the mother. This | | | | There is an international convention on child abduction |
| means that the father has no legal rights to visit their | | | | which the US, France, Australia, The United Kingdom, |
| child until they are grown-up. | | | | Spain, New Zealand and Canada have all signed but |
| This situation has led many countries to call on Japan | | | | which Japan is not a party to at the moment. Japan |
| to adapt its child custody laws so that more equal | | | | has claimed that if they signed the convention then |
| rights are given to both parents and the child's needs | | | | Japanese mothers who fled with their children away |
| are taken into account. Studies have shown that | | | | from abusive foreign husbands would have no |
| children benefit from communication with both parents | | | | protection, however that is not the case. Now minsters |
| and so it does not seem reasonable to cut off | | | | from Japan are working on resolving the issue which |
| communication all together with one parent. | | | | will allow foreign parents visitation to their children and |
| There are also issues relating to child abduction cases | | | | place an emphasis on the needs of the children |
| between Japan and other countries. If an international | | | | involved. |
| marriage breaks down, the Japanese mother can bring | | | | |