Writing under the pseudonym Richard Cory over the past two years, I have provided The Japan Times with an exclusive, inside account of my marital breakdown, my wife's subsequent disappearance with my three children, my rescue of my daughter, and my continuing efforts to gain access to my two sons (Zeit Gist, Nov. 3, 2009; Sept. 21, 2010; Sept. 28, 2010; Oct. 4, 2011).
Last month, I finalized terms of divorce with my wife of nearly 19 years. I will receive full legal custody (shinken) of my 14-year-old daughter and my wife will receive full legal custody of my two sons, now 11 and 8. The agreement also calls for my wife to compensate me to the amount of ¥3.9 million for her adultery and ¥336,000 for other expenses. Both of us have surrendered all claims for child support.
My wife would not agree to any visitation, even among only the children, so my only option, if I desire to take it, will be to enter visitation mediation to attain the one to two hours a month that is commonly awarded, knowing that I would be dealing with a hostile custodial parent making every effort to prevent visitation in a country in which any court-mandated visitation is effectively unenforceable.