Media discussion

Collapsed international marriages raise child abduction issue

Japanese women who broke up with foreign husband are increasingly bringing their children to Japan without confirming custody rights. It is creating diplomatic problems between Japan and other countries.
If women bring their children to Japan without confirming custody rights after divorce in international marriages, their actions constitute child abduction. Some foreign husbands sometimes file lawsuit in Japan for custody rights, but it is rarely accepted because of high barrier. It makes them frustrated.
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction bans people from taking their children to their home countries without confirming custody. About 80 countries belong to the convention, but Japan is not one of them.
Among the Japanese women in question, there are some who have fled because of violence from their husbands. They also think their husbands can’t win court because they can’t speak the language well. There are also many who don’t realize that their actions constitute child abduction under the convention.
However, During the July G8 summit, some diplomatic officials have criticized Japan, saying that Japan is carrying out abductions itself.