Japan is moving toward allowing shared parental custody for the first time through proposed amendments to the country's Civil Code.

Currently, Japan operates under a sole custody system following divorce, which has drawn criticism from international observers and divorced parents seeking continued access to their children.

The proposed legislative changes would represent a significant shift in Japanese family law, which has historically granted custody to only one parent after divorce proceedings.

Details about the specific provisions of the amendment and its timeline for implementation have not been disclosed. The change would align Japan more closely with custody practices common in other developed nations.