- Japan has revised its Civil Code to allow divorced couples to share legal custody of their children, marking a significant departure from the previous sole custody requirement.
- Effective from Wednesday, the new law permits couples to mutually agree on either joint or sole custody, with family courts determining the arrangement if an agreement cannot be reached.
- Parents who divorced under the old rules can now apply to a family court to seek a change to their custody arrangements, potentially moving to a joint custody model.
- The revised legislation prioritises the child's best interests, requiring both parents to agree on major decisions in joint custody cases, while allowing for independent decisions on daily or urgent matters.
- A new financial provision introduces a monthly payment of 20,000 yen per child for the parent living with the child, applicable to divorces finalised from 1 April, and gives child support claims priority over other debts.
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