Japan to allow divorced parents to share custody of children

Japan’s lower house has passed a bill allowing divorced parents to share custody of a child. It is expected to be passed by the upper house by the end of June. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Divorced couples in Japan will for the first time be able to negotiate joint custody of their children after parliament voted this week for changes to laws permitting only sole custody.

Under Japan’s civil code, couples must decide which parent will take custody of their children when their marriage ends – a requirement that critics say causes children psychological harm and prevents the “left-behind” parent from playing a fuller role in their upbringing.