For the first time, revisions to Japan's family law will allow parents to choose sole or joint custody after divorce. Effective from April, the system promises more child time for some parents but sparks fear among domestic violence survivors.
Revisions to Japan's family law will for the first time allow parents to choose between sole custody or joint custody following divorce, as reported by The Japan Times. The change takes effect from April. Keywords mention the Justice Ministry, Japanese courts, parenthood, divorce, and children. While the joint parental authority offers some parents more time with their child, domestic abuse survivors express only fear, according to another Japan Times article. The reform has sparked debate amid concerns over domestic violence and child abuse. Both stories were published on March 24, 2026.
