This week in Japan, parental custody laws change, allowing courts to decide children’s fate after divorce. Israel refuses a ceasefire statement from atomic bomb survivor groups over the conflict in Iran. A Kumamoto official is suspended for watching 93 hours of porn at work. In sport, Japan becomes the first Asian side to defeat England in men’s senior football, while figure skater Kaori Sakamoto wins her fourth world title.
Japan’s New Parental Custody Rules Go Into Effect
On Wednesday, the first major overhaul of Japan’s parental custody laws in the postwar era went into effect. The revised legislation allows divorced couples to seek joint or sole custody; if they cannot reach an agreement, a family court will decide based on the child’s best interest. Japan was previously the only G7 member that did not legally recognize joint custody, leaving many divorced parents estranged from their children.
The reform is expected to help prevent cases of parental abduction. However, some fear it could force children to spend time with a parent who has a history of abuse. Though sole custody will be granted in cases of domestic violence or abuse, Shiho Tanaka, head of a support group for single parents, warns that “psychological abuse tends to be disregarded by Japanese courts.”
The Israeli Embassy in Chiyoda, Tokyo | Image: Wikimedia
Israeli Embassy Refuses To Accept Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Statement on Iran Conflict
In March, four atomic bomb survivor groups issued a statement calling for an immediate cease-fire following US and Israel airstrikes on Iran. They then sent the statement to the US and Israeli embassies. On Saturday, one of the groups revealed that Israel refused to accept the letter. “The document was sent back without even being read,” said Shigemitsu Tanaka, head of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council.
Public reaction to the conflict has also been visible on the streets. On Sunday, a protest rave against the war took place in front of Shinjuku Station’s southeast exit. Some participants, unimpressed with Sanae Takaichi’s support for US President Donald Trump, held up signs and shouted for the resignation of the Japanese prime minister at the event, which was titled “Drop Bass Not Bombs.”
Image by Victoria Bennett
Kumamoto Official Suspended for Watching 93 Hours of Porn at Work
A male employee in his 50s from Kumamoto has been suspended for four months for watching porn at work. According to prefecture officials, the man spent a total of 93 hours browsing adult and manga websites on an office computer while on duty between January 2024 and July 2025. He also allegedly brought adult videos and other content from home via a USB memory stick.
The man, who works in the Commerce, Industry and Labor Department, received a disciplinary pay cut in 2018 for a similar incident involving browsing non-work-related websites during office hours. Prefecture officials said they imposed a stricter penalty this time, taking past behavior into account. During questioning, he said, “there was work-related stress, a lack of ethical considerations, and a blurring of the lines between my personal and professional life.”
© JFA via X @jfa_samuraiblue
Kaoru Mitoma Fires Japan to Historic Win Over England
Kaoru Mitoma scored the only goal as Japan became the first ever Asian side to defeat England in men’s senior football. It was a fully deserved victory for Hajime Moriyasu’s team, who looked very comfortable in possession and fluid in attack. For England, it was a night to forget. Tomas Tuchel’s men were particularly poor in the first half, failing to record a shot on target.
The result extends Japan’s winning streak to five matches. On Saturday evening, they deservedly defeated Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park. Junya Ito came off the bench to net the winner for Moriyasu’s side. At the World Cup this summer they will face the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden in the group stages. Sweden booked their place on the plane for the tournament after defeating Poland 3-2 in a playoff final.
Kaori Sakamoto Finishes Skating Career in Style
Kaori Sakamoto, 25, retired from professional figure skating in style by winning her fourth women’s singles title at the 2026 World Championships in Prague. She finished with a total of 238.28 points after executing all her jumps in the free skate. Compatriot Mone Chiba finished second with 228.47 points. In the men’s competition, Yuma Kagiyama took silver and Shun Sato bronze behind US star Ilia Malinin.
In other sports news, 19-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on Sunday. His second successive victory meant he became the youngest driver in history to head the championship. He leads Mercedes teammate George Russell from the UK by nine points. Russell finished fourth in the race behind Antonelli, Australia’s Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Monaco’s Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
Poster for the 2024-25 ISU-1 Kumamoto Nankan Tournament (cropped) | © Isu-1 Grand Prix via Facebook
Racing Office Chairs: Japan’s Quirkiest Endurance Challenge
On the same day Antonelli sealed victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, a less high-profile race was underway in Kyotanabe, Kyoto Prefecture. No engines, no steering wheels: the ISU-1 Grand Prix is all about racing office chairs. Competing in teams of three, racers use those chairs to complete as many laps as possible over two hours. The prize for the winners is 90 kilograms of rice
The race is the brainchild of Tsuyoshi Tahara, who hopes competitors can briefly return to their childhoods. He was inspired to start the competition after being scolded by a teacher for playing with a chair. In an interview with CNN, he said, “People in Japan may work too much, but they still can become fully dedicated to something silly like this and enjoy it even as they grow older.”
