Consciousness Survey on 'Joint Custody' Among 490 Divorced Individuals: Approx. 70% of Men Prefer It, While Over Half of Women Do Not
Following the implementation of the 'joint custody' system in April 2026, Verybest Law Offices conducted a survey among divorced individuals. The results reveal a significant gender gap in preferences for joint custody and concerns regarding the system.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 26, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 26, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 26, 2026 at 11:44 (13 min after Collected)
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.
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.
FAQ
共同親権制度に関する調査の実施主体は？
ベリーベスト法律事務所が実施しました。
調査対象者の条件は？
離婚経験があり、離婚時に子どもがおり、現在子どもが18歳未満の男女490名です。
男性の共同親権希望率は？
68.1%です。
女性が共同親権を希望しない最大の理由は？
調査内では、女性の約4人に1人が「DVや虐待の継続」を懸念していることが指摘されています。
共同親権制度の開始日を知っている男女の割合に差はありますか？
あります。開始を知っている割合は男性79.3%、女性67.7%であり、男性の方が約12ポイント高くなっています。