The wrongful removal or retention of children across international borders is a key issue affecting the relationship between the UK and Japan. Since 2003, there have been 37 cases in Japan involving British nationals, none of which have been resolved. Our principal concern is for the welfare of the children who become victims of parental child abduction or wrongful retention. We strongly believe that, wherever possible, children should grow up with access to both parents.

The UK continues to urge Japan - as a partner on the basis of many shared values - to try and develop appropriate solutions to all cases of parental child abduction. Most recently, the UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband raised the issue with the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada.

An important first step in addressing the problem will be for Japan to sign up to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The Convention contains mechanisms to ensure the prompt return of abducted children to the State of their habitual residence where custody decisions can be made in the appropriate court of jurisdiction. It also protects the rights of access for both parents to their children. To date, over 80 countries have acceded to the Convention. However, Japan is not among these, and is the only G7 nation to not have acceded.

In addition to acceding to the Hague Convention, the UK urges Japan to identify and implement measures to ensure that appropriate visitation and access rights for both parents are granted and enforced.