For years, Japan was the object of international criticism for not joining the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction that prevents cross-border parental kidnapping.
But in May, the government announced its decision to begin preparations for signing the treaty, which would make it the last country among the Group of Eight industrial powers to join the international convention.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in October said he would submit the legislation to the Diet when it opens in early 2012.
But for the international community, signing the treaty is only a step in the right direction. A larger problem for many is that the Hague Convention is not effective retroactively - meaning that even if Japan joins the pact, it won't help parents like Toland. (Japan Times)
↧
