American father in custody case released from Japanese jail

An American man who had been accused of trying to take his children from his ex-wife was released from jail on Thursday and charges against him were dropped. Police in the rural southern town of Yanagawa said Christopher Savoie was let go, but did not say whether authorities set any conditions for his release, such as requiring that he leave the country immediately.

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Group calls for release of American dad jailed in Japan

A handful of people rallied outside the Japanese Embassy on Saturday to show support for an American man who is jailed in Japan, accused of trying to kidnap his own children. During the demonstration, Christopher Savoie’s wife, Amy, along with others from the Children’s Rights Council of Japan — a group that advocates visitation for both parents in divorce cases, and which organized Saturday’s event — called for Savoie’s release.

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Schoolgirl told to choose: Country or parents

The clicking of dozens of news cameras drowned out the sobs of the 13-year-old girl, but her face explained what was happening in the departure hall of Japan’s Narita International Airport. Noriko Calderon, wearing her school uniform, was being forced to make one of the most wrenching choices of her young life: To stay in the country of her birth rather than join her parents being deported to the Philippines.

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