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ZWC_yamada 
Date and time Saturday, September 17, 2011 13:00-16:00
Location: JR Shinagawa Station, Konan Exit
On Saturday, September 17, 2011, APFS and five foreign fathers held a microphone presentation and signature campaign at the Konan Exit of Shinagawa Station to gain understanding and support from many people regarding foreign fathers' "right to see their children."
The five foreign fathers who participated in this activity divorced Japanese women, and since the women took custody of their children, they have not been able to see their children even once. This is because the women refuse to allow the fathers to see their children, and the Japanese legal system allows this. The five foreign fathers cannot accept that they cannot see their children. They live every day worrying about whether their children are well. One of the fathers who participated in the activity has not seen his child in over 15 years.
In order to improve the situation of foreign fathers like these, APFS has decided to ask many people living in Japan to understand this issue and sign a petition, which will then be submitted to the Minister of Justice.
On the day of the event, we received understanding from many people, and as a result, we were able to collect a total of 147 signatures. However, considering that we held the event in front of Shinagawa Station, which is a busy area, 147 signatures is not a large number. Not only did people not seem interested, but many people opposed signing the petition. Reasons for opposition included the question that divorce is a matter between husband and wife, and that the woman may have a valid reason for not wanting to let the child see the father. There were also comments that this issue is based on Japan's legal system regarding divorce, and therefore does not apply only to foreign parents.
I understand the viewpoints of those who opposed it. However, as a member of APFS who participated in this activity, I feel that receiving such opposition means that in the future, we must appeal to those who opposed it with more persuasive explanations so that they will be convinced and sign the petition.