Tag - abduction

 
 

ABDUCTION

Legislation that allows the option of joint custody of children after divorce is passed at the Upper House plenary session on Friday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 17, 2024
Japan changes law to allow joint custody after divorce
For decades in Japan, one parent — almost always the mother — has been granted legal custody when a marriage ends.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 15, 2024
Ai Fukuhara reaches custody settlement after abduction accusation
Although the physical custody of their son as well as their daughter will be with her ex-husband, the couple will continue to have joint custody over them.
If you've come to the realization that divorce is the only way forward, there are a host of details about the Japanese marriage system to confirm before you're finally ready to cut ties.
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Aug 21, 2023
Navigating the notorious gauntlet of divorce in Japan
Everyone wishes for “happily ever after” no matter where you’re from, but Japan recorded 1,671 bicultural divorces in 2021.
Members of the media take photos of lawyers Hsu Sung Po (left) and Aiko Ohbuchi (center) and Taiwanese table tennis player Chiang Hung-chieh at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan on Thursday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 27, 2023
Table tennis star Ai Fukuhara accused by ex-husband of abducting their son
The ex-husband, Taiwanese table tennis player Chiang Hung-chieh, has said that a court in Japan ruled that Fukuhara was required to hand over their son.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 15, 2022
Frenchman's wife sues over 'parental kidnapping' claims
In the lawsuit, the woman claims that she has been defamed by the spread of the information, seeking damages and demanding that related articles be retracted.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 14, 2022
Japanese wife of French national cites lack of trust for not allowing child visitations
The Fichot case made headlines and was seen as a tragic case of a father not being able to see his children.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 20, 2022
Working draft includes option for Japan to introduce joint child custody
A subcommittee that advises the Justice Ministry will adopt the interim proposal at its next meeting, to be held at the end of August, and will solicit opinions from the general public.
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2021
A hunger strike reignites conversations about parental rights in Japan
Detractors of the country's system of sole parental authority say it promotes child 'abductions,' while supporters say change could exacerbate domestic abuse.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 31, 2021
EU envoys back Frenchman on hunger strike over Japan child custody
Japan, unlike most countries, does not recognize joint custody and children often lose contact with the noncustodial parent.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2020
European lawmakers chide Japan over abduction of children by a parent
European lawmakers lobbied by fathers unable to see children taken by Japanese mothers urged Tokyo on Tuesday to combat the abduction of minors by one parent and change a law that does not recognize joint custody after a split.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 17, 2020
In Japan, foreign parents lead charge against loss of child custody
A growing number of foreign nationals in Japan are speaking out against what they say is a little-known but entrenched system that allows one parent in a broken relationship to take away children and block the other from visiting them.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 15, 2020
Australian father gets suspended term for trespassing at in-law's Tokyo home
A Tokyo-based Australian journalist and father was given a suspended prison term of six months by the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday for illegally trespassing into a building complex where his in-laws live in Tokyo's Suginami Ward in October, in what the journalist said was an attempt to check on...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Jun 3, 2018
Left-behind dad's last resort: Impeach Japan's Supreme Court judges
Dogged father in Hague Convention case shines a light on a check-and-balance on the judiciary that barely functions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 18, 2018
The Trump-Kim summit and Japan
Japan's singular focus on the abductee issue is marginalizing Tokyo in the current round of North Korea diplomacy.
JAPAN / Society
May 18, 2018
U.S. cites Japan for noncompliance with Hague treaty on cross-border parental child abductions
The move may help put greater pressure on Japan to comply with the treaty, observers say.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
May 13, 2018
Readers reach out to lost friends and family in Japan
Another of our occasional 'in search of' columns featuring people hoping for a blast from their pasts, along with an update on efforts to help children and parents in international abduction cases.

Longform

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.
Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?