The Japanese House of Representatives has approved a bill to introduce joint custody for children after divorce.
This bill, which allows for sole custody or joint custody, was passed during a plenary session in the lower chamber of the Diet.
This marks a significant shift in the rights and responsibilities of divorced parents in Japan, with a majority of parliamentarians voting in favour of the bill.
Under the current Civil Code in Japan, only one parent can have custody of their children post-divorce. However, proposed amendments suggest that if parents cannot agree on custody arrangements, a family court will step in to decide based on the best interests of the children.
The bill also addresses cases of suspected child abuse or domestic violence, allowing the family court to intervene by granting sole custody to the other parent. Now sent to the House of Councillors, the upper chamber, the bill is expected to be passed during the ongoing regular Diet session, ending on June 23.
Enactment of the bill would see the new legislation take effect by 2026, applying retroactively to past divorces.