Japan Embraces Joint Custody Post-Divorce: A New Era for Families

Wed Apr 01 2026 13:17:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

New legislation allows divorced couples in Japan to share custody of their children, ending decades of sole custody practices, and raising hopes for improved parental relationships.

A landmark change in Japan's Civil Code now permits divorced couples to opt for joint custody of their children, making Japan the last G7 nation to implement such a system. Previously, custody was routinely granted to one parent, usually the mother, which led to significant tensions and estrangement in many families. The new law not only allows shared custody but also mandates child support payments to ensure children's welfare post-divorce. Critics have expressed concerns about potential challenges, especially regarding domestic violence, but the legislation provides safeguards for such cases.

Divorced couples in Japan are now allowed to share custody of their children, following a significant revision to Japan's Civil Code that took effect on Wednesday. This landmark ruling marks Japan's movement towards recognizing joint custody, an option that was previously unavailable and placed the country as the only G7 nation without such provision.

Before this change, divorce custody typically defaulted to one parent, almost always the mother, which restricted the other parent's access to their children, often resulting in severed family ties.

The criticism toward Japan's exclusive sole custody approach had grown amidst domestic and international pressure, illuminating the detrimental effects on divorcees and children's well-being when contact with one parent was lost.

While couples were free to reach custody and visitation agreements independently, court intervention generally led to sole custody rulings. Under the new law, family courts now possess the authority to allocate either sole or joint custody depending on the couples' circumstances.

Furthermore, parents separated under the former system can request the family court to review their custody arrangements. The revision also requires child support, entitling the custodial parent to receive 20,000 yen (£95; $125) monthly from the non-custodial parent to support the child's needs.

This legislative shift has raised hopes that it may curtail parental abduction incidents that have gained relevance over recent years. Allegations of abductions, including high-profile cases involving foreign ex-husbands, have highlighted the urgency for reform. In a noteworthy case, the Japanese table tennis star Ai Fukuhara faced accusations from her Taiwanese ex-husband of abducting their son, culminating in a settlement.

Despite the optimism surrounding these reforms, criticism persists. Some individuals worry that joint custody could pressure women into maintaining relationships with their ex-husbands, even in domestic abuse situations. However, the new law ensures that courts will still grant sole custody to protect children in cases involving domestic violence.

These advancements indicate a turning point in Japan’s approach to familial relationships post-divorce, striving for a collaborative parenting future while prioritizing children's well-being.