親 権(しんけん)

しんけん

noun

parental rights, custody

1. parental rights, parental authority, custody

The legal rights and responsibilities of a parent over their minor child, including decisions about education, residence, and welfare. In Japanese law, custody disputes in divorce are particularly significant.

親権(しんけん)を争(あらそ)う。

To fight over custody.

離婚(りこん)の際(さい)、母親(ははおや)が親権(しんけん)を得(え)ることが多(おお)い。

In cases of divorce, the mother often obtains custody.

裁判所(さいばんしょ)は子(こ)どもの利益(りえき)を最優先(さいゆうせん)に親権者(しんけんしゃ)を決定(けってい)する。

The court determines the custodial parent with the child's best interests as top priority.

USAGE:
In Japan, unlike many Western countries, joint custody after divorce has not traditionally been recognized — one parent is designated as the sole custodial parent (親権者(しんけんしゃ)). This has been a major topic of legal reform discussion. The word is a homophone of 真剣(しんけん) (serious; real sword), which has a completely different meaning.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

親権(しんけん)を持(も)つ: to have custody
親権者(しんけんしゃ): custodial parent
親権(しんけん)を争(あらそ)う: to dispute custody
親権(しんけん)を放棄(ほうき)する: to relinquish parental rights

general

Added 2026.2.28 10:50

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