Japan’s lower house of parliament has passed a bill to implement joint child custody, bringing the country one step closer to ending a century-old sole-custody system that critics say has allowed parents to legally abduct their children.
The bill passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon after a year of mounting international criticism, including from the Australian government.
Japan’s lower house passed the bill on Tuesday. Credit: Bloomberg
An investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes last year revealed dozens of Australian children had been abducted by a Japanese parent since 2004. By February, the number of children had grown to 89.
Japanese police have refused to enforce Interpol missing persons notices in a legal system that protects the last parent who was physically with the child.
After passing Japan’s lower house, the government-sponsored bill will be sent to the upper house, where it is expected to be passed by June. The government controls 143 of 248 seats in the House of Councillors.
If passed, the new legislation will take effect by 2026 and be applied retrospectively to those who have already divorced. Japan’s family court will be able to intervene if there is a dispute in the custody arrangements.
Melbourne mother Catherine Henderson has been fighting to get access to her two children since 2019.Credit: Ikkei Ben Suzuki
Australian mother of two Catherine Henderson said the vote was a positive step.
“But it doesn’t go far enough to deal with the complex issues here in Japan,” she said. “Its main goal is to deflect criticism both at home and abroad of the family law system in Japan, which is not in line with international norms.”