Making Sense of the Best Interest of Children in Vulnerable Family Relationships

Abstract

The aftermath of divorce or separation of a couple with children profoundly affects the lives of all those who used to live together as a family. In Japan the current legislation admits child custody for either of the parents at divorce, and it is usually mothers who become the custodial parents living together with child. Differently from many other societies the joint custody system has not been introduced to Japan, and some people (legal experts, researchers and activist citizens mainly of fathers’ rights movement) in Japan are activating the discussion about legal reform for introducing joint custody to Japan.