Torata Tanaka Flees To Nagoya With Children Illegally

Torata Tanaka, if you see this man call Aichi Prefectural Police: 052-241-0110

A domestic court dispute in Eugene has taken on an international flavor, as the father, who is being sought by Eugene police, flew to Japan last week with four of his children in tow, authorities said.

Torata Tanaka, 40, a Japanese citizen but a longtime Lane County resident, left Eugene with four of his children, ages 3, 6, 8, and 10, drove to Canada, and then flew to Japan, according to the FBI. A fifth child, a teen, refused to visit with Tanaka and is with the mother in Eugene, according to authorities.

Tanaka’s departure with his children violates a custody agreement between the father and mother issued by Lane County Circuit Court, authorities said.

The children’s mother called Eugene police Aug. 25 to report her estranged husband had not returned the children from his scheduled visitation. Both Tanaka and the mother are Japanese citizens who have lived in the United States for about 15 years.

In a newly filed report in Lane County Circuit Court, the FBI said Tanaka had driven with his children to Vancouver International Airport in Vancouver B.C., in a rental car Aug. 25, then boarded a Korean Air flight to Nagoya, Japan.

The report notes the Lane County Assistant District Attorney’s Office believes Tanaka could be extradited for his alleged actions.

Deputy District Attorney Patty Perlow said her office has made a request to the federal government to “help cause the return” of Tanaka so he can face charges.

He’s currently charged with four counts of first-degree custodial interference. The U.S. Attorney’s Office may soon review the case, Perlow said.

According to court records, the children’s mother filed for divorce from Tanaka last year. The divorce was approved Aug. 27, two days after Tanaka allegedly fled with the children. A restraining order has been in place since 2012, filed by the mother against Tanaka and renewed by the court periodically. In her petition, the mother alleged she had been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Tanaka, occasionally in front of the children.

Meanwhile, Tanaka alleged his estranged wife had interfered with his relationship with his children, and he was granted visitation every other weekend and one weekday afternoon per week.

Tonaka was in the country on a student visa, for a time studying psychology at the University of Oregon, and most recently business at Lane Community College, according to court documents filed in January by his attorney, Lynn Shepard.

The mother’s visa is expired, the documents state, and she has a pending application for renewal. She is pursuing two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree, although the paperwork did not specify where she is enrolled. Shepard’s document stated, “the father is very concerned about mother’s immigration status and wants a provision that the children cannot be removed from the U.S.”

The documents also state neither parent had a job, both relying on Tanaka’s parents for financial support. The debt the former couple owed Tanaka’s parents was estimated at $200,000 and was the subject of debate in their divorce.

The Register Guard