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flag Japan ends sole custody system to allow shared child custody for divorced couples.

flag Japan is implementing a major family law reform effective April 1, 2026, allowing divorced couples to share child custody for the first time. flag This shift marks the end of the country's previous sole-custody system, which critics argued severed parent-child relationships. flag The new law requires parents to negotiate custody terms, with courts prioritizing sole custody in cases of domestic violence. flag While advocates argue shared custody supports children's well-being, survivors of abuse remain concerned about potential safety risks and the pressure to co-parent with former partners.

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