Although the Liberal Democratic Party-led government is moving toward signing the Hague Convention on cross-border parental child abductions, the issue may not be a priority in the next ordinary Diet session, Justice Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is keen on building a strong relationship with U.S. President Barack Obama, is expected to visit the White House in February and is likely to say that Japan plans to join the accord.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has also indicated that Japan needs to join the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction "at an early stage."