that the procedures used in Japan are compatible with those of their home country. Disputes over Child Custody and Nationality Joint custody of children ends upon divorce. In a divorce by agreement, the husband and wife must determine which parent will have custody of each child. In other types of divorce, custody is determined by the mediator or judge, with a strong preference toward custody by the mother (especially with regard to children born after the divorce). See also International child abduction in Japan Family policy in Japan Recognition of same-sex unions in Japan References External links English translation (non-official) of Japanese family and inheritance laws (Parts IV and V of Civil Code) Colin P.A. Jones, 'In the Best Interests of the Court: What American Lawyers Need to Know about Child Custody and Visitation in Japan' Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal, Volume 8, Issue 2, Spring 2007 The Japan Children's Rights Network - Extensive information on Japanese family law Takao Tanase, “Post-Divorce Laws Governing Parent and Child in Japan” - U.S. Department of State, 14 September 2010 Takao Tanase, “Divorce and the Best Interest of the Child: Disputes over Visitation and the Japanese Family Courts”, Jiyu to Seigi vol.60, issue 12 (2009), pp. 9–27 Taimie L. Bryant, "Family Models, Family Dispute Resolution and Family Law in Japan", UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal vol. 14 issue 1 (1995)