Japan's new joint custody law reshapes divorce debate
Key takeaways
- As Japan introduces joint custody, some couples find it easier to part ways.
- "I will submit this paper next week — with the custody box checked for both my husband and myself — and it's all done," she said.
- Soon after, the mother of a 13-year-old son announced the completion of her divorce from her actor husband, following Japan's introduction of joint custody for divorced parents in April.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
As Japan introduces joint custody, some couples find it easier to part ways. But the reform sparks debate over whether children's interests are truly central in a system still led by parents.
https://p.dw.com/p/5GObz Joint custody for children in divorce was just introduced in Japan in April Image: Issei Kato/REUTERSAdvertisement"After five years of separation, the law change finally gave us a push for a divorce," Mariya Yamada, a 46-year-old Japanese television personality and actress, told DW in late June, showing her completed divorce certificate with a fresh smile.
"I will submit this paper next week — with the custody box checked for both my husband and myself — and it's all done," she said.