There are thousands of parents in this country who have had their children abducted to Japan. They have had to battle with the Japanese authorities, and the legal system, for many years in order to secure the safe return of their children.

The Japanese government has recently announced that it will prepare to ratify the 1980 Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Legislation will now be prepared for consideration by the legislature. However, there have been reports in the Japanese press that there is strong opposition to the proposed ratification. Members of the public have also shown resistance. With such opposition it is hard to see how things will change.

Securing the return of a child from Japan at the present time is near enough impossible. What will happen in the future remains to be seen.

For further information and advice on this issue, and other family law issues, please contact us for a free initial consultation on 01992 306 616 or 0207 956 2740 or email us.