The new rules are the first major change to the country’s laws governing child-rearing in more than a century
Divorced couples in Japan will be able to negotiate joint custody of their children from Wednesday, in the first major change to the country’s laws governing child-rearing in more than a century.
Previously, Japan’s Civil Code required couples to decide which parent would take custody of their children when they divorce.
But pressure from critics, who say the tug-of-war between parents caused children psychological harm and unfairly punished the “left-behind” parent, culminated in a 2024 parliamentary vote to change the law.
Under the amendment, parents will be able to decide whether to arrange for joint or sole custody of their children. In cases in which a divorce has been finalised and sole custody already granted, parents can petition a family court to change the agreement, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
