"Legal Revision to Allow Married Couples to Use Different Surnames"... Japanese Business Community Urges

Japan's business federation Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) officially proposed on the 10th, as reported by the Asahi Shimbun, the early realization of a "selective separate surnames for married couples" system that allows husbands and wives to use different surnames after marriage.

Keidanren urged the recognition of separate surnames for married couples, stating that although the trend of continuing to use one's maiden name for work after marriage is spreading, there are limitations such as being unable to sign contracts or open bank accounts.

Tokyo Shibuya Station
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

In Japan, the Civil Code stipulates that married couples must use the same surname. The rate of wives taking their husband's surname reaches 95%.

Keidanren stated, "The inconvenience and disadvantages experienced in daily life and professional life due to changing surnames are disproportionately borne by women," and added, "We hope the government will submit the related amendment bill to the Diet as soon as possible and that constructive discussions will take place."

Although a Civil Code amendment bill recognizing selective separate surnames for married couples was prepared in line with the increasing social participation of women, it failed to be legislated due to opposition from conservative factions. The Supreme Court of Japan ruled the same-surname system constitutional in both 2015 and 2021.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by the Ministry of Justice in 2021, 27.0% of respondents said the same-surname system should be maintained. While 42.2% supported maintaining the current system but revising the law to unofficially allow the use of maiden names after marriage, 28.9% responded that a selective separate surname system should be introduced.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.