Background:

I was married while in Japan to Taeko Ono. We had two children. Jasmyn was born in 2002, and Cody in 2004. My wife and I separated in 2006 after Taeko’s mother had a stroke. We were going to move to the United States as a family just prior to the time Taeko’s mother became ill. Taeko insisted I still go to the USA and make all arrangements so that we could function there as a family. I told her we could wait until her mother felt better, but she insisted. I returned to the US, in anticipation of my wife and children following. They never came. Takeo’s father insisted they remain in Japan and that she divorce me. I was still very much in love when we split up. I have been unable through any court action either in Japan, or the United States to see my children. The last time I saw them was October 2007.

Japan is a haven for international child abduction. Not once has Japan ever returned a single abducted child. Once children enter Japan they never return, making it a black hole. Currently over 321 children have been stolen off American soil and abducted to Japan.