My friend, who is a British citizen, has filed for divorce. His wife is Japanese, and has moved back to Japan. She won't let him have any access to his son. No photos, no telephone calls, nothing at all. Apparently Japanese courts don't give fathers much rights to see their children, and the international court (where he has filed for divorce) can't do anything about that. Is this true? Surely he has some rights as a father?

Were the papers for the divorce filed in Brittan or Japan?
How long ago did she move away?

The papers were filed in the UK. I believe she moved in January this year.

Its possibly true. But things may have changed. Its really hard to say. Here are some things to look at.

Japan's International Child Abduction Policy (http://www.uslaw.com/bulletin/japans-international-child-abduction-policy.php?p=68)


International Divorce - Japan's Law on Conflict of Laws (http://www.international-divorce.com/horei_law.htm)

... the international court (where he has filed for divorce) ...

International divorce court?

I would be very, very surprised if there is such a court.