The Tokyo High Court has overturned a rare family court decision last year that granted a father custody of his daughter because he was more inclined than his estranged wife to allow greater visitation.

Thursday's high court ruling, which returns custody of the 9-year-old girl to the mother, emerged during an appeal trial that had left custody in limbo. The parents have been living separately since the mother took off with the child in 2010.

"The daughter has been living with her mother, is growing up healthy and wants to continue living with her mother in the future," presiding Judge Yoichi Kikuchi said. "Taking into account what is in the best interest of the daughter, it is reasonable that custody is awarded to the mother."