American Father Imprisoned In Japan - The Japan Children's Rights Network

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American Father Imprisoned In Japan

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=91880&catid=187

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Christopher Savoie has sole custody of his two children. But his ex-wife took them to Japan. Here in the United States, we would consider that to be kidnapping. But in Japan, Savoie is the one being charged with abduction.

Amy Savoie is Christopher's wife. She is telling his story while he sits in a jail in Japan. She and others rallied in front of the Japanese Embassy, and held a candlelight vigil in front of the White House. They are asking that Japan recognize American child custody laws.

"Parental child abduction is not a crime in Japan," said Paul Toland.

As US Commander in the Navy, Toland was stationed in Japan when his Japanese wife took their only daughter, Erika and fled to Tokyo.

Toland says he tried to get custody rights through Japan's legal system to no avail.

He wife has since died and his child is being raised by her grandmother in Japan.

Toland says Christopher's case has inspired him to take a chance and try again to get his daughter back.

"I am going to go to Japan and within the confines of their legal system, I'm going to demand to see my daughter and bring her home," he said.

While he plans to work within Japan's legal system, he is aware that things could go wrong.

"If they arrest me, then so be it," he said.

Meanwhile, Savoie is facing up to five years in prison in Japan.

The information on this website concerns a matter of public interest, and is provided for educational and informational purposes only in order to raise public awareness of issues concerning left-behind parents. Unless otherwise indicated, the writers and translators of this website are not lawyers nor professional translators, so be sure to confirm anything important with your own lawyer.

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