International Parental Child Abduction Japan
|
|
DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change
without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed to practice in the relevant
jurisdiction.
April 2013
For information concerning travel to Japan, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Japan.
If Japan ratifies the Hague Abduction Convention (the Convention), the Convention will subsequently enter into force for Japan. Until Japan ratifies, however, parents whose children have been abducted from the United States to Japan or wrongfully retained in Japan are unable to invoke the Convention to pursue their children’s return or to seek access to them.
Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Japan and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.
Contact information:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-736-9132
Website: www.travel.state.gov
Email: AskCI@state.gov
Parental child abduction is not a crime in Japan.
Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.
Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Japan and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States. Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Japan for information and possible assistance.
Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Japan are authorized to provide legal advice.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan posts list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.
This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers..
Family court mediation is required in many custody disputes. The Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association is exploring possibilities for expanding its existing mediation services. For information on the most current mediation services available, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues.
The U.S. Embassy in Japan can be contacted at:
U.S. Embassy Japan
1-10-5 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 JAPAN
Telephone: 03-3224-5000
Fax: 03-3505-1862
Website: U.S. Embassy Japan
The Embassy of Japan is located in Washington, D.C. at:
Embassy of Japan
2520 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Telephone: 202-238-6700
Fax: 202-328-2187
Website: Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.
Other Government Websites |
