Japan's Surname Law: Calls for Reform and Gender Equality

Japan's mandatory surname system for couples faces growing calls for reform to promote gender equality and individual choice.

### Japan's Unique Surname System for Married Couples
Japan is the only country that legally requires couples to **adopt the same surname** upon marriage, with most women **giving up their original surname**. The system has faced criticism for **discriminating against women**, leading to calls for reform and the introduction of an **optional separate surname system**. An analysis predicts that if the current trend continues, the surname Satora could make up **100% of the Japanese population** by 2531, raising concerns about the **extinction of surnames** in the country.

### Japan's Surname System: Calls for Reform and Gender Equality
* 🇯🇵  Japan is unique in mandating that married couples adopt the same surname, often leading women to **change theirs**, raising concerns of **discrimination** as women's economic participation grows.
* 📈  Keidanren, Japan's largest business organization, has proposed an **optional separate surname system**, allowing couples to choose whether to **share a surname or retain different ones**, highlighting the **need for reform ahead of the upcoming presidential election**.
* 🔍  Professor Hiroshi Yoshida predicts that if the current system continues, by 2531, all Japanese people may share the surname **Satora**, as approximately **500,000 couples marry each year**, causing a significant number of surnames to **disappear**.
* 👩‍🏫  Dorikai Kumiko, a professor, illustrates the difficulties faced due to surname changes, such as issues with **bank accounts and academic publications**, which can **disrupt careers and create confusion**.
* 👥  The proposal for optional surnames is not just about same-sex couples but aims to provide all couples the **freedom to choose**, as over **90% of those who change their surnames upon marriage are women**.
* 📊  A survey by Keidanren indicates that **90% of companies allow the use of both registered and original surnames**, yet discrepancies can lead to complications, showcasing the need for a **more flexible system**.
* ⚖️  Despite support for unified surnames as a symbol of family unity, many countries have adopted optional separate surnames, reflecting a **global shift towards gender equality and individual choice**.
* 🗳️  As discussions intensify within the Liberal Democratic Party and public opinion shows **69% support for the optional surname system**, the upcoming election could significantly influence the **future of Japan's surname laws**.

### The Challenges of Name Changes After Marriage in Japan
The professor faced issues with using her married name at work and encountered problems with hotel reservations due to her **original surname**. Different countries have varying practices regarding surnames, with Japan's system causing **discomfort for women in management positions**. Keidanren, Japan's largest economic organization, is advocating for an **optional couple surname system**, emphasizing its **importance for women's activities** and its **potential impact on businesses**.

### The Impact of Surname Change on Women and Same-Sex Couples
Issues during hotel check-ins and credit card creation have been linked to surname changes, with the burden **disproportionately falling on women**. The Japanese Civil Code has mandated a unified surname for couples since 1898, with **95% of those changing their surname being women**. The debate over surname changes has raised concerns about **gender equality and family unity**, with supporters of a unified surname arguing for its importance in **maintaining family cohesion**.

### The Unique Surname Law in Japan
Japan is the only country that legally requires couples to have the **same surname** upon marriage, while many other countries have legalized **optional separate surnames**. The issue of separate surnames has been a topic of discussion in Japan's Diet and judiciary, with the Supreme Court ruling the current system **constitutional**. Recent discussions within the Liberal Democratic Party and public opinion polls show **diverse views** on the optional separate surname system, making it a **key issue in the upcoming elections**.

### Candidates' Movements for Kishida's Post
Former Secretary General Ishiba Shigeru and former Environment Minister Koizumi Shinjiro are advocating for a **selective couple's surname system**, gaining public popularity. Digital Minister Kono Taro supports the idea but approaches it with **caution**, while former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki prioritizes using surnames on **resident registration cards**. Economic Security Minister Nakaiichi Sanna favors a **unified family surname**, but discussions on the **optional couple's separate surname system** are becoming inevitable due to social changes.

부부 동성(同姓) 의무제 개선 목소리…선택적 부부 별성(別姓) 힘 받나 | 김일규의 도쿄나우

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