House members pursue resolution to pressure Japan on custody rights
By APWednesday, May 5, 2010
Congressmen pressure Japan on custody rights
WASHINGTON — Two members of Congress are seeking a resolution they hope will pressure Japan into closing a loophole they say allows American children to be abducted.
Dozens of American fathers say they have been unable to see their children for years because the mothers have fled to Japan with their children.
Japan has refused to sign an international treaty on child abduction and allows only one parent to have custody in cases of divorce.
Rep. Jim Moran, a Virginia Democrat, and Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, plan a news conference Wednesday at the Capitol to discuss the proposed resolution.
Tennessee father Christopher Savoie told NBC’s “Today” show Wednesday he hopes the resolution will help him get his two children back from his Japanese ex-wife.
