Right now, there are hundreds of parents across the world whose children have been abducted. Not by a stranger - but by the other parent. 

A months-long investigation by The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes has revealed that Japan is home to a system of parental abduction that has driven dozens of Australian parents to breaking point, created immense psychological distress for children, and torn families apart. 

In part one of this two-part series, North Asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw joins host, Chris Zappone, to discuss his investigation.