Washington Lawmakers Condemn Japan’s Child Custody Laws In Resolution

Japan’s child custody laws are once again creating international tension as the United States works to return several children to their parents after kidnappings and abductions from America. Most recently in Washington, the House passed a resolution, 416-1, that condemned Japan’s ongoing inaction regarding the retention of these children. In addition, the resolution called for Japan to allow the American parents of children being held in Japan to visit with their kids overseas.

Japan has infamously biased child custody laws – laws that benefit both the mother of the child and the Japanese parent of children who are the result of international marriages and divorces. Japan has still not joined a 1980 international convention that outlined child abduction guidelines and international child custody actions.

Japan is a priceless international ally of the United States, but this issue continues to cause strain between the two countries. The United States has asked Japan to act urgently to their requests.