Two Months After Joint Custody Implementation: Is 'Conflict-Free Divorce' Possible? Actress Mariya Yamada Joins Smartphone Mediation Service 'wakai' for Exclusive Media Talk Event

Aiming for a society where everyone can easily access judicial services, wakai, Inc. (URL: https://ddrwakai.co.jp/ : Minato-ku, Tokyo / CEO: Remon Matoba), which operates the smartphone mediation service 'wakai,' will hold an open talk event featuring actress and talent Mariya Yamada on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM in Minato-ku, Tokyo, against the backdrop of the joint custody system implemented on April 1.

■ Background of the Talk Session
In April 2026, Japan implemented the joint custody system, significantly changing the parent-child relationship after divorce. We will invite actress and talent Mariya Yamada, who has herself faced divorce issues, to lead a session based on her own experiences, involving stakeholders. The discussion will cover perspectives from involved parties, experts, and technology.

On the day of the event, an experience session of 'smartphone mediation wakai' by Mariya Yamada and a dialogue on realistic challenges expected after the start of the joint custody system are scheduled.

■ Challenges in Divorce Negotiation
In Japan, about 580,000 couples marry and about 180,000 divorce each year. During divorce, emotional conflicts often make it 'impossible to talk.' Cases like 'afraid to even meet' due to domestic violence or moral harassment, conflicts over children's schooling or lifestyle policies, and the discontinuation of child support or parent-child communication exist. Many challenges cannot be solved by the system alone.

Furthermore, many people cannot reach appropriate support due to 'barriers to judicial access,' such as 'time,' 'divorce expenses,' and 'psychological burden.'

In this event, themed 'Conflict-Free Divorce in the Era of Joint Custody,' we will delve into psychological burdens in divorce/separation, best choices considering children's future, smartphone mediation that proceeds 'without meeting,' judicial access issues in Japan, and new consensus building to reduce emotional conflicts.

■ Content
1. My Approach to Divorce (Solo talk by Mariya Yamada)
2. Mariya Yamada x Attorney Tomomi Tsunoda Real Talk (The difference between those who 'cause conflict' and those who 'move forward')
3. Mariya Yamada x Remon Matoba (CEO of wakai, Inc.) Talk Session (The mechanism of smartphone mediation 'wakai' and future initiatives)

《Event Overview》
[Event Name]: Is 'Conflict-Free Divorce' Possible in the Era of Joint Custody? Public Talk Event featuring Mariya Yamada
[Date]: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 11:00 AM (Media reception starts at 10:30 AM)
[Venue]: Special venue in Minato-ku