Joint custody for divorced parents will be allowed from April 1 in Japan ¡ª one of the few jurisdictions in the world where custody has been granted to only one parent ¡ª in one of the biggest reforms to the country¡¯s family law in decades.
For the first time ever, revisions to the Civil Code and related laws will allow parents to choose between sole custody or joint custody following a divorce. The Justice Ministry says the reform is aimed at placing ¡°the best interests of the child¡± at the center of post-divorce arrangements.
Until now, sole custody was the only option a divorced couple had, in contrast with many Western countries where joint custody is commonplace. The system has long drawn criticism from foreign organizations ¡ª particularly in cases involving international marriages and cross-border custody disputes ¡ª because it robs the noncustodial parent from having any legal authority over major life decisions for the child.
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