"The House of Representatives approved Thursday a bill necessary for Japan to ratify an international treaty to help settle cross-border child custody disputes, making it certain that it will be enacted during the current Diet session through June after upper house deliberations. ... The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is aiming to join the convention early next year after completing all domestic procedures. The bill that the lower house unanimously approved stipulates the domestic process for the children to return to their habitual residence. If the consultations fail, family courts in Tokyo and Osaka will make decisions on the matter. The bill also allows a party concerned to reject the return of a child if abuse or domestic violence is feared." - "Lower house OKs bill for Japan to ratify int'l child custody pact" - Kyodo News International - May 9, 2013
Knowing what I do about Japan, I don't know if that last line is accurate or not. With practically any other country, I'd say the reporter or editor misunderstood the related provisions already in the treaty, where the decision is made by the judge, not the defendant, and requires clear and convincing evidence, not "fear".
Via Kansas interstate/international family lawyer Ron Nelson.
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