Japan, another step towards shared custody laws and greater hope for Australian parents

Politicians in Japan’s lower house approved a bill to implement joint child custody, bringing the country one step closer to ending a centuries-old system of single custody that critics say has allowed parents legally kidnap their children.

The bill passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon after a year of mounting international criticism, including from the Australian government.

An investigation of this header and 60 minutes revealed dozens of Australian children kidnapped by Japanese father since 2004. By February, the number of children had increased to 89.

Japanese police have refused to enforce Interpol missing persons notices in a legal system that protects the parent who was last physically with the child.