A revised Civil Code has been enacted that recognizes ” joint custody,” in which both divorced parents have rights and obligations as parents. The news that Japan had granted joint custody was also a focus in Europe. I reconnected with an old friend in Almeria, Spain in May, and it became a hot topic there as well. “Spain has recognized it for 40 years. Japan is far behind,” he said. In Spain, where the cycle of marriage, divorce, and remarriage is commonplace, custody rules are quite flexible. After all, there are differences in national characteristics. (Kei)