The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a mother who sought to revoke a January 2016 decision to hand over her children to their U.S.-based father, saying he lacks the capacity to raise them. The original decision was based on an international treaty to help settle international child custody disputes.

The original Osaka High Court ruling also stated that returning to the United States would be beneficial for the children.

However, according to the Dec. 21 ruling by the Supreme Court's First Petty Bench, the father lost their home, and his capacity to raise the children has "worsened to the point that it cannot be overlooked."