Japanese child-parent separation cases Reporting and Japan's custody law reforms

Question

DFAT's Consular State of Play reporting includes aggregate categories such as Child Abduction/Custody. Has DFAT considered whether comparable reporting could be developed for the passport eligibility letter pathway in legacy Japan cases? Following Japan's 2026 joint-custody reforms, does DFAT consider that a Japanese family court pathway removes the need for an Australian consular mechanism in legacy cases? If yes to the above question, how does DFAT account for cases where the child is already an adult, the Australian parent has no current contact information, litigation is not practical, or the need is proof of life or welfare confirmation rather than a formal custody order?

Answer

Please see attached answer

Documents

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