Japan's Lower House of the Diet has approved a bill to amend the Civil Code and other laws to allow divorced parents to share custody of their children.

The government has been working to revise the current system, which recognizes parental rights of only the father or mother and does not allow joint custody.

Under the proposed system, parents will discuss whether to apply for joint or sole custody, and if they fail to agree, a family court will decide. If the court recognizes that domestic violence or child abuse has taken place, sole custody will be granted.

Amendments to the draft bill were presented at a committee meeting on Friday by a group of two ruling parties and two opposition parties. It passed by a majority.
The revision includes a supplementary clause that calls for considering measures to confirm the true intention of parents, if they agree on joint custody.

Before taking vote in the Lower House session on Tuesday, a member from the Constitutional Democratic Party said opinions would differ over the proposed legislation but it is significant that a clause was added to verify parental intentions.

A lawmaker from the Japanese Communist Party opposed the bill, saying that the draft does not respond to concerns that joint custody could leave children unable to escape from abuse. She added that there are concerns that the interests of parents or children could be harmed if a court forces joint custody.

The bill was approved by a majority vote, and sent to the Upper House. It is likely to be enacted during the current session of the Diet.