Dual Surname Discussion Begins

The Liberal Democratic Party started intensive discussion on dual-surname option for married couples, which has long been a taboo in this conservative party. Receiving growing skepticism on current single name system, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba demanded his party to draw a certain conclusion on the issue. It is possible that the Diet is going to discuss the issue for new legislation of selective separate surname system. 

Before the Meiji era, surname was only given to the samurais. The common people were not allowed using surname. After permission for the common people to use surname, Meiji government introduced separate surname system in 1876. It changed the policy to single surname in 1898 supposedly to solidify unity of each house. It is commonly recognized that a wife would become a member of husband’s family with marriage.

 

Ever since, single surname system has been maintained in Japan. Article 750 of the Civil Code determines that “a husband and wife take the surname of either the husband or the wife, as decided at the time of marriage.” 94 percent of couples which married in 2023 decided to use husband’s surname. Most couples thought at the time of marriage that taking husband’s surname would be “natural” in Japanese society.

 

More women became to use her original surname she has used before marriage to ensure her identity, as more women participated in social activities. Some felt that single surname system was obsolete. The Legislative Council submitted Minister of Justice their opinion in 1996 that selective separate surname system should be introduced to terminate current institution that a couple cannot be married without changing one of their names.

 

However, the ruling LDP has been ignoring the recommendation. The conservative lawmakers of the party are worried about collapse of paternal family system in Japan. Imperial throne is succeeded on the male line. In the discussion of the LDP. Seiichi Eto, a close ally of former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, proposed describing an old surname of one of the married spouses on the family register. Another conservative figure, Sanae Takaichi, argues that different surname should only be used as a common name, not legally official.

 

On the other hand, there are some proponents of separate surname in the LDP. Tomomi Inada proposed new legislature to introduce a choice of single or separate surname. There were some candidates who were willing to introduce separate surname in LDP presidential election last September. Ishiba recognizes that this issue cannot be left behind.

 

Coalition partner of the LDP, Komeito, and most opposition parties are positive for dual surname. Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) is going to submit its own bill for revising current laws. Conservative Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin-no Kai) also has some members who approve introduction of dual surname.

 

After the LDP lost its majority in the House of Representatives in last general election, the chair of Committee on Judicial Affairs has been occupied by a CDPJ lawmaker. It is expected that the committee will start discussing amendment of current law on surname, supposedly as soon as FY 2025 budget bill passes the House.

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