Consciousness Survey on 'Joint Custody' Among 490 Divorced Individuals: Approx. 70% of Men Prefer It, While Over Half of Women Do Not

On April 1, 2026, the 'joint custody' system was implemented, allowing both parents to remain legal guardians after divorce. Previously, Japan only recognized 'sole custody,' but this reform has significantly expanded choices for involved parties.

Against this backdrop, Verybest Law Offices surveyed 490 men and women (270 men, 220 women) who are divorced, had children at the time of divorce, and currently have children under 18.

Results showed that 68.1% of men expressed a desire for joint custody, whereas 55.5% of women stated they did not want it, highlighting a clear gender gap in perception.

Survey Overview Title: Questionnaire on Joint Custody Period: April 17, 2026 – April 30, 2026 Subjects: 490 divorced individuals (270 men, 220 women) with children under 18. Method: Online survey Organizer: Verybest Law Offices

Survey Summary - A gap of over 23 points in the desire for joint custody (68.1% for men, 44.5% for women). - One in four women expresses concerns about the continuation of domestic violence or abuse. - Over 60% of both men and women expressed a desire for expert consultation.

Q1: Do you prefer joint custody? 68% of men say yes; 55% of women say no—a significant gender gap.

Q2: What expectations do you have regarding the joint custody system? Both genders commonly hope for more active parent-child interaction (41.8% of men, 35.7% of women) and the ability for both parents to remain involved in child-rearing after divorce (39.7% of men, 38.8% of women).

Q3: What anxieties or concerns do you have about the joint custody system? Women are more concerned (6.8 percentage points higher) about the continuation of DV or abuse (26.8% of women vs. 20.0% of men). Conversely, men are more concerned about court judgments (27.4% of men vs. 20.5% of women).

Q4: Are you aware that the joint custody system started on April 1, 2026? Awareness among men is about 12 points higher than among women; about one in three women is unaware of the system's start.

Q5: How well do you understand the details of the joint custody system? While men show higher levels of understanding, over 70% of both genders claim a certain level of understanding when combined with 'somewhat understand' responses (85.1% of men, 77.1% of women).

Q6: Would you like to consult with experts such as lawyers about joint custody? There is a 19-point gap in potential consultation interest, with 81.5% of men and 62.2% of women showing interest in seeking advice.