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“Why can’t we meet?—the children and parents after divorce—”
The OYAKO NET
The First Conference of the Nationwide Network For Realizing Visitation In Japan
l July 13th 2008 Open 12:30pm, 13:00~16:30
l Academy Meidai Gakusyu-Shitu A, Kasuga 2-9-5 Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
(Tel 03-3817-8306) 15 minutes-walk from Kourakuen station or Myo-ga-dani station. (Tokyo Metro, Marunouchi-line) http://www.city.bunkyo.lg.jp/gmap/detail.php?id=1995
l 1. Guest Speaker Subjects: “Children in the custody battle.”
Paul Wong, US citizen, Attorney at law admitted in California.
After the death of his wife, he has been alienated from his daughter by his wife’s parents who alleged Wong’s child abuse.
Misuzu Yuki (an alias)
Yuki was forced to leave home by her ex-husband after he had declared divorce in front of their children. Her ex-husband’s attorney prevented her from having contact with the children in the mediation session. Yuki cannot see her three children now.
Mitsuru Munakata
He cannot see his biological child from the common law marriage or his stepchild. His ex-common law wife registered Munakata’s child under her new husband’s family registration without his consent. Thus, Munakata has little possibility to contact his children. His ex-wife has not appeared at the mediation.
2. Lecture: “Joint Parenting After Divorce and ‘The Best Interest of the Children.’”
Takao Tanase, Chuo Law School Professor of Sociology of Law, Attorney at Law.
Tanase is the author of “Visitation and Parenting Rights after Divorce—Study of Comparative Legal Structure” (“Kenri-no Gensetsu” Keisou-Shobou, 2003) and many other books.
l Question, discussion, and report from the Oyako-Net about lobbing the Diet members and local council initiatives.
l Street Demonstration 16:30~
l Admission \1,000
The Nationwide Network For Realizing Visitation In Japan, Tel 042-573-4010 (Space 1)
e-mail oyakonet2008@yahoo.co.jp blog http://blog.goo.ne.jp/oyakonet
ENDS
BRIEFING:
SUPPORT OUR GROUP!
“THE OYAKO NET”
THE NATIONWIDE NETWORK FOR REALIZING VISITATION IN JAPAN
We demand that the government of Japan enact laws of visitation and support adequate visitation so that children can maintain sincere relationships with non-custodial parents after separation or divorce.
We urge that the sole custody system be replaced into a system where both parents can share responsibilities to care for children after separation or divorce.
In Japan, only the parents that have possessing the children can decide on visitation between the children and the other parents. Since we, non-custodial parents, legally cease to be parents of our children after divorce, no remedy do we have to enforce our visitation agreement made by the mediation or granted by the court.
Until today, few have criticized this inhumane treatment: worse, we suffer from discrimination by the public who consider non-custodial parents lacking in parenting skills.
It is time to establish an adequate visitation system.
The parents are divorcing; yet, the children are not divorcing from their parents.
Children have the right to maintain regular and personal contact with their parents. In fact, alienating children from non-custodial parents, without just reasons, not only harms the children psychologically, but also violates the rights of children under the UN Convention.
Lacking of stipulation for joint custody and visitation, indeed, exacerbates custodial battles in Japan. Parental abduction, abusing of habeas corps, false allegation of domestic violence and child abuse is prevalent.
Children are suffering from this outdated Japanese family law.
It is time to establish an adequate visitation system.
No longer will we tolerate this ongoing plight. In order to protect children from discrimination or misery after parent’s divorce, we establish a network to; exchange information and opinion; press the Judiciary, the Executive, the Legislature, and local councils to enact laws and systems to comply with the UN Convention.
On July 13th 2008, we will have the first conference of Oyako Network.
We urge your support!
ends
FOLLOW UP–PHOTOS AND BRIEF FROM FCCJ PRESS CONFERENCE (CLICK HERE)
3 comments on “OYAKO NET Meeting and rally July 13th Tokyo: The First Conference of the Nationwide Network For Realizing Visitation In Japan”
If Koizumi, (being a divorced parent separated from one of his offspring), were to publically endorse the Oyako Network, this movement would grow wings.
Recently, there was a question and answer exchange on visitation rights between the Prime Minister and a DPJ Diet member at the House of Representatives of Japan.
This is the inquiry letter submitted by DPJ Diet member Mr. Edano on May 8, 2008.
http://www.shugiin.go.jp/itdb_shitsumon.nsf/html/shitsumon/a169357.htm
This is the reply by MP Fukuda on May 16, 2008.
http://www.shugiin.go.jp/itdb_shitsumon.nsf/html/shitsumon/b169357.htm
In his reply, PM Fukuda says;
-He does not believe adoption of joint custody in Japan will end child custody disputes, since there are such disputes in countries where joint custody is allowed.
-The allegation that there is no legal provision for visitation rights by non custodial parent is false, since Paragraph 1 of Article 766 of Civil Code says, “If parents divorce by agreement, the matter of who will have custody over a child and any other necessary matters regarding custody shall be determined by that agreement. If agreement has not been made, or cannot be made, this shall be determined by the family court.” and visitation rights are part of such “any other necessary matters regarding custody”.
-The allegation that Japan violates Convention on the Rights of the Child with regard to visitation rights is false, since visitation rights are well established by Article 766 of Civil Code.
It seems that the PM does not see any need to change laws to clearly establish visitation rights. We will see if his interpretation holds in deed.
–My god, either this man is wilfully ignorant, or he has absolutely no awareness of how things work in practice. We have already seen how his interpretation works in deed.
James: Unless I grossly misunderstand the situation, Koizumi is the one who separated his family that way; his wife wants him to meet with his youngest son (born after their divorce) but he constantly refuses.
I would like to be proven wrong because this is the main aspect of Koizumi’s personal life that really bugs me.