A move to allow joint custody of children after divorce could significantly benefit foreign parents working in Japan, according to employment experts.

An amendment to Japan’s civil code, passed on 17 May, changes a 77-year-old law to allow for joint custody. The change is expected to take effect from 2026 and will be reviewed in 2031.

Japan is the last G7 nation with a sole custody system. In most cases, custody is awarded to the mother, who then has sole discretion on whether to allow visitation rights to the father.