A Japanese parliamentary committee has approved a set of proposals to amend the Civil Code and other laws to allow divorced parents to share joint custody of their children.

The government has been working to revise the current system, which recognizes parental rights of only the father or mother.

It plans to allow parents to choose between joint or sole custody, and if they fail to agree, a family court will decide.

On Friday, the Lower House's Committee on Judicial Affairs adopted the amendments after they underwent revisions. They passed by a majority vote from the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, its coalition partner Komeito and two opposition parties.
The revision to the amendments includes that the government will set forth actions which are unilaterally decided by either of the parents who live with children in the same house if they choose joint custody.

The revised amendments also oblige the government to consider another revision five years or so after it is put in place.

The committee also adopted a resolution in addition to the amendments calling on the government to support parents so that they can raise children while respecting each other.

The proposed amendments are expected to pass the Lower House plenary session as early as next week before being sent to the Upper House.