22万人の反対署名が集まっても、日本政府が進める「離婚後の共同親権法案」220,000 signatures against "Joint Custody Bill after Divorce" in Japan
抛磚引玉の心得で、スピード重視でまとめました。
もし記載内容に間違いがあった場合は、お手数ですがコメント欄でご指摘ください。修正させていただきます。
Thank you for coming to my blog, English below.
『共同親権』をめぐる民法改正案が衆議院本会議で可決
4月16日、『共同親権』をめぐる民法の改正案が衆議院本会議で可決され、参議院での審議を経て、国会で成立する見通しとなりました。
3組に1組が離婚を経験するという時代、影響を受ける人々が大勢いるのに、メディアが報道しないこともあってほとんど知られていません。
過去に子連れ離婚をした夫婦にも適用される想定ですので、私も当事者です。
下記3点だけでも、いかにこの法案が未熟であり、議論が足りていないか、子どもを守る内容になっていないかが分かる
私が危惧している点をまとめます。
①離婚後でも両親のハンコが無いと、進学も医療も引っ越しもできなくなる
共同親権になった場合、「急迫の事情」や「日常の行為」については同居親が単独で決定できるとされていますが、具体的に何が該当するのかの議論が不十分です。
例えば、子どもが修学旅行に行く際のパスポートの発給には父母の合意が必要だということが明らかになりました（4/2衆議院法務委員会、参考リンク）。
何が監護や教育の日常行為に当たるかがあいまいで、こどもが病院で手術を受ける際の同意も明確に定められていません。これでは手術を終えた後に病院側が訴えられるリスクもあります。
日本小児科学会や日本産科婦人科学会など医療関係4団体も政府（斎藤健法相）に要望書を提出しています（出典）。
また、引っ越しの際にも同意を取らなければならなくなるため、DV親に居所を知られることになる、同意を条件にDV加害を受けるなどの恐れがあります。
②DVや虐待の判定を家庭裁判所に丸投げしているが、家裁は既にパンク状態
改正案では、DVや虐待のおそれがあると認められた場合、家庭裁判所は『単独親権』にしなければならないとしています。当然のことですが、DVは『身体的なDV』だけでなく『精神的なDV』も対象に含まれるとされています。
ただ、この判定は非常に難しいことが危惧されます。
さらに、日本の家庭裁判所は既にマンパワー不足が叫ばれています。
弁護士の会員を持つウェブサイト『弁護士ドットコム』が会員向けに実施したアンケート調査では、『（共同親権改正法案が）たたき台どおりに改正された場合、8割が「家裁はうまく機能しない」』と回答しています。
これは、「法律が弱者を守るためのものである」という位置付けを大きく揺るがすものです。
また、全国青年司法書士協議会からも「離婚後共同親権の導入に反対する会長声明」が提出されています。
③子どもの貧困を悪化させる
例えば、「世帯年収が約910万円未満だった場合に高校の授業料が無償化される“高校無償化”」制度についてです。
もしこのまま離婚後共同親権になった場合、別居していても親権者である父母の合算になるため2名分の所得で計算され、所得が約910万を超えるとこの「高校無償化」の制度の適用外になるということが、文部科学省の担当者の回答によって明らかになったそうです。
養育費の不払いが約7割と言われる日本で、ますます子どもを貧困に追い込むことになることは明白です。
共同親権推進派への質問
日本では離婚後、妻である女性側が親権を持つケースが85％以上。
親権を持たない夫・男性側が『子どもに会えない』など不満を持つことがあり、『面会交流を行いやすくなる』『養育費不払いの問題で改善が期待できる』『子どもの利益を守るために双方が責任を果たすこと』などが目的だと、政府は位置づけています。
それに対して私からの質問です。
①現在の制度で、面会交流も共同養育も十分に可能です
現在の制度でも、離婚後も法的には親子関係にあり、面会交流も共同養育も十分に可能であると主張しています。いま会えていないのは、「子どもが会いたいと言っていない」、あるいは「DVや虐待の可能性があると裁判所が認めたケース」です。
わざわざ民法を改正し、「離婚後共同親権」を導入する必要はありません。
婚姻中に良い関係を維持できなくて離婚した夫婦が、離婚後に共同で養育するのは難しいと思います。話し合いができる夫婦は現行制度で自分達のやり方で共同養育できています。
②養育費不払いの問題は、この法制度で改善されるわけではありません
養育費の不払いは、共同親権と関係がありません。
現行の法制度でも、離婚協議書に養育費の支払いについての取り決めを行えば、家裁を通して支払い勧告が可能です。
養育費不払いが問題なのは確かですが、親権と養育費の支払いは関係がないのです。
「養育費不払い」の課題には、それ専門の罰則を作れば良いだけの話です。
③子どもの利益を守るために双方が責任を果たすというのなら、まずは安全な法の立案を
上述した通りです。子どもの安全が守られることは人権です。最優先に考慮するのが政治家の責務なはずです。
消されたパブリックコメント、無視される署名
国民の声は消され、無視され、メディアもほとんどこの件を報じず、異例のスピードで法制化が衆議院本会議で可決されてしまいました。
選択的夫婦別姓の導入は25年間以上放置されているのに、共同親権はわずか数年でどんどん進められていきます。
バイアグラの認可はわずか6カ月、経口中絶薬の認可には実に37年も要したという事実が、日本の男尊女卑の深刻さを表しています。
●消されたパブリックコメント
共同親権をめぐっては、国民の意見を募るパブリックコメントが2022年12月6日から、23年2月17日まで法務省により実施されました。
ところが、募集を締め切ったおよそ半年後の2023年8月29日に法務省から発表された「離婚後共同親権についてのパブリックコメントの概要」では、慎重・反対派の意見は消されていました。
8,000件を超える意見が寄せられ、そのうち個人意見の3分の2が慎重派であるにも関わらず、法務省がまとめた「要約」では、推定5,200件の慎重派個人の意見はほとんどが無視されたのです。
参考：『離婚後共同親権についてのパブリックコメントの概要から、「個人の意見」の大部分が消えていたことをご存知ですか？』
●無視される22万人の反対署名
現在、オンライン署名サイト「change.org」には「STOP共同親権」に対して22万筆以上の署名が集まっていますが、メディアはほとんど報じていません。
●女性の約10人に1人は何度も配偶者からの暴力の被害を受けている
日本国内でのDVは年々増加しており、女性の約10人に1人は何度も配偶者からの暴力の被害を受けているというデータもあります。
今回の共同親権法案は「DV加害者が武器を得る制度」「実質的な離婚禁止制度」だと言われています。
●日本の民主主義はどこへ行ってしまったのでしょうか。
メディア関係者から聞きましたが、「共同親権推進派から粘着質な嫌がらせや攻撃が大量に来るから、共同親権についてなかなか報じられない」のだそうです。
日本のメディアが報じないなら、どうか海外メディアに報じていただけないでしょうか？
●正しい知識を得よう
日本は国連から共同親権を勧告されている？
→勧告されていません。
海外では共同親権？日本もそうすべき？
→いいえ。現行で共同監護ができるので必要ありません。日本の離婚後の単独親権は、欧米諸国の「共同親権」と大きく相違していません。
など、離婚を多く手掛けられている弁護士さんや専門家による情報がわかりやすくまとめられている「ちょっと待って共同親権」のサイトをぜひご覧ください。
https://chottomatte.jp/
A bill to revise the Civil Code regarding “joint custody” was passed at the plenary session of the House of Representatives.
I am a Japanese writer living in Taiwan, and am a party to the joint custody post-divorce bill that the Japanese government is trying to revise. Although there are many voices of opposition, the Japanese government is trying to force the move forward, ignoring the rights of children. I would like you to know this.
I don't speak English, so I used Google Translate.
We call this mindset "抛磚引玉 (throw away a brick in order to get a gem)"
If you see anything wrong, please let me know in the comments. thank you!
On April 16th, a bill to revise the Civil Code regarding "joint custody” was passed at a plenary session of the House of Representatives, and is expected to be enacted in the Diet after deliberation in the House of Councilors.
In an era where one in three couples experience divorce, there are many people who are affected by it, but little is known about it, partly because the media does not report on it.
It is assumed that this applies to couples who have divorced with children in the past, so I am also a party to the law.
The following three points alone show how immature this bill is, how it lacks enough discussion, and how it does not protect children.
I will summarize my concerns.
① Even after divorce, if you don't have your parents' stamp, you won't be able to go to higher education, get medical treatment, or move.
In the case of joint custody, it is said that the parents living together can make decisions alone regarding ``urgent circumstances'' and ``daily activities,'' but there is insufficient discussion on what specifically falls under this category.
For example, it has become clear that the issuance of a passport for a child to go on a school trip requires the consent of the parents (April 2, House of Representatives Judicial Affairs Committee, reference link).
It is unclear what constitutes daily acts of custody and education, and consent when a child undergoes surgery at a hospital is not clearly defined. This also puts the hospital at risk of being sued after the surgery.
Four medical-related organizations, including the Japanese Academy of Pediatrics and the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, have also submitted a request to the government (Minister of Justice Ken Saito) (source).
Additionally, since consent must be obtained when moving, there is a risk that parents of domestic violence may find out where you are, or that you may be subject to domestic violence even if consent is provided.
②Determination of domestic violence and abuse is left entirely to the family court, but the family court is already overwhelmed.
The proposed amendment states that if it is determined that there is a risk of domestic violence or abuse, the family court must grant sole custody. Naturally, domestic violence includes not only "physical domestic violence" but also "mental domestic violence."
However, this judgment is likely to be extremely difficult.
Furthermore, there are already complaints that Japan's family courts are lacking in manpower.
Source: Published by Japan Federation of Bar Associations March 2010
“Let's increase the number of judges! Significant increase in court budget for acceptable trials! There are not enough judges, and the courts are in danger!”
A survey conducted among its members by the website Bengoshi.com, which has lawyer members, found that (the joint custody reform bill) has been revised as planned. 80% of respondents answered, “Family courts do not function well.”
This greatly undermines the idea that the law is meant to protect the weak.
Source: Bengoshi.com “What do lawyers think of the civil law reform outline proposal to introduce joint custody? ”September 21, 2023
Additionally, the National Association of Young Judicial Scriveners has submitted a “Chairman's Statement Opposing the Introduction of Joint Custody After Divorce”.
③ Exacerbating child poverty
For example, we are talking about the ``High School Tuition Fee Free'' system where high school tuition fees are waived if the annual household income is less than approximately 9.1 million yen.
If joint custody continues after divorce, the income of the parents will be combined even if they live separately, so the income will be calculated based on the income of the two parents. It seems that a response from a Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology official has revealed that the system will no longer apply.
In Japan, where around 70% of children fail to pay child support, it is clear that this will push children further into poverty.
Questions for joint custody advocates
In Japan, after divorce, the female wife retains custody in more than 85% of cases.
Husbands/men who do not have parental authority may be dissatisfied with things such as ``not being able to see their children.'' The government's objective is to ensure that both parties fulfill their responsibilities.
In response to this, I have three questions.
①With the current system, visitation and co-parenting are fully possible.
Even under the current system, it is argued that even after divorce, there is a legal parent-child relationship, and that visitation and co-parenting are fully possible. The cases where I am not able to see my child at the moment are those in which the child has not asked to see me, or in cases where the court has recognized that there is a possibility of domestic violence or abuse.
There is no need to go to the trouble of amending the Civil Code and introducing "joint custody after divorce."
I think it is difficult for couples who divorced because they were unable to maintain a good relationship during their marriage to jointly raise their children after the divorce. Under the current system, couples who are able to negotiate are able to co-parent their children in their own way.
As proof of this, I personally meet with my ex-husband and children on a regular basis.
②The problem of non-payment of child support will not be improved by this legal system.
Failure to pay child support has nothing to do with joint custody. Even under the current legal system, if the payment of child support is agreed upon in the divorce agreement, it is possible to recommend payment through the family court.
It is true that non-payment of child support is a problem, but there is no relationship between custody and child support payments. To address the issue of ``non-payment of child support,'' it would be sufficient to create specialized penalties.
③If both parties are to fulfill their responsibilities to protect the interests of children, the first step is to develop safe laws.
As mentioned above. Protecting the safety of children is a human right. It is the responsibility of politicians to consider this as a top priority.
Public comments deleted, signatures ignored
The voices of the people were silenced and ignored, the media barely covered the matter, and legislation was passed at the plenary session of the House of Representatives with unprecedented speed.
The introduction of elective separate surnames for married couples has been neglected for over 25 years, while joint custody has been pushed forward in just a few years. The fact that it took just six months for Viagra to be approved, and 37 years for the oral abortion pill, shows the seriousness of Japan's patriarchy.
●Deleted public comment
Regarding joint custody, the Ministry of Justice conducted a public comment campaign to solicit public opinions from December 6, 2022 to February 17, 2023.
However, on August 29, 2023, approximately six months after the recruitment period closed, the Ministry of Justice announced the ``Summary of Public Comments on Joint Custody After Divorce,'' which erased the opinions of those who were cautious or opposed.
More than 8,000 opinions were received, and although two-thirds of the individual opinions were cautious, the ``summary'' compiled by the Ministry of Justice largely ignored the estimated 5,200 opinions of cautious individuals. It was.
Reference: Did you know that most of the ``individual opinions'' disappeared from the summary of public comments regarding joint custody after divorce? ”
●220,000 opposition signatures ignored
Currently, over 220,000 signatures have been collected on the online petition site ``change.org'' for ``STOP joint custody,'' but the media has barely reported on it.
●Approximately 1 in 10 women has been a victim of violence from their spouse at one time or another
Domestic violence in Japan is increasing year by year, and data shows that approximately one in ten women has been the victim of spousal violence multiple times.
Source: Cabinet Office Gender Equality Bureau White Paper (2021 edition)
The current joint custody bill is said to be a system that gives perpetrators of domestic violence a weapon and a system that effectively prohibits divorce.
●Where has Japanese democracy gone?
I heard from a member of the media that it is difficult to report on joint custody because of the amount of persistent harassment and attacks that come from supporters of joint custody.
If the Japanese media won't report on it, could you please let the overseas media report on it?
●Get the correct knowledge
Has Japan been recommended joint custody by the United Nations?
→Not recommended.
Joint custody overseas? Should Japan do the same?
→No. This is not necessary as joint custody is currently possible. Sole custody after divorce in Japan is not significantly different from "joint custody" in Western countries.
Please take a look at the ``Wait a minute, joint custody'' website, which provides easy-to-understand information from lawyers and experts who handle many divorce cases. https://chotmatte.jp/
こちらでいただいたサポートは、次にもっと良い取材をして、その情報が必要な誰かの役に立つ良い記事を書くために使わせていただきます。