Press Releases
Briefing for Members of the European Parliament on Parental Child Abduction and Related Matters
September 18, 2026
On September 17, at a meeting of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Japan held in Strasbourg, France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan provided a briefing, at the request of the Delegation, on Japan's response to the issues surrounding the removal of children by parents and other related matters.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers it important to inform relevant stakeholders abroad that Japan has been steadily implementing the "Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction" (1980 Hague Convention) since its entry into force. At the meeting, the Ministry gave an explanation, with concrete data, about Japan's efforts and its assistance for parties, including the steady track record of returning children and facilitating parent-child contact under the Convention.
- In addition, the Ministry of Justice of Japan participated online to provide an outline of the Act to Amend the Japanese Civil Code and Other Related Acts of 2024, which came into effect in April of this year, emphasizing that the amendments allow both parents to have parental responsibility (joint custody) after divorce and that they stipulate the obligation of mutual respect for individuality and cooperation between parents.
- Participants from the European Parliament included Mr. Adam Bielan, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Japan, along with twelve members of the Delegation, and Ms. Ewa Kopacz, Vice-President of the Parliament serving as Coordinator for Children's Rights, and a number of members expressed their keen interest in these matters. Ms. Kopacz expressed her deep appreciation for the amendment of the Civil Code in Japan as a first step by an important partner for the European Union, stating also that there is a need to follow how the amended law will be implemented to secure joint custody and parent-child contact in Japan.
- Japan’s participation in this meeting served as an opportunity to promote understanding in Europe of the fact that Japan is appropriately implementing the 1980 Hague Convention and that Japan's legal system related to child-rearing is steadily developing.
- It is expected that continued efforts will make it easier for Japanese parents living overseas, including in Europe, who wish to make a temporary return to Japan together with their children, to obtain the consent of the other parent or the permission of the court, thereby reducing troubles associated with homecoming visits and departures.