BRUSSELS/TOKYO — The European Parliament urged Japan to comply with international rules on child protection and to allow for joint parental custody after a number of EU citizens were denied access to their children by Japanese mothers. Unlike most countries, Japan does not recognise joint custody after divorce and children often lose contact with the non-custodial parent. In a non-binding resolution approved late on Wednesday, EU lawmakers expressed concern over "children in Japan being abducted by (one) parent" and urged Tokyo to enforce domestic and foreign court decisions on the return of the child and on access and visiting rights. The EU Parliament has been lobbied by EU citizens such as Frenchman Vincent Fichot and Italian Tommaso Perina who live in Japan and are being denied access to their children.

Source: International New York Times July 09, 2020 10:41 UTC