A powerful Japanese business lobby is urging the government to allow married couples to maintain dual surnames, citing the current restriction as a hindrance to women’s advancement and a potential business risk. In Japan, couples are required to legally adopt one family name, with the vast majority of women traditionally taking their husband’s surname. This unique law is exclusive to Japan and has been criticized for discouraging marriage in a country already experiencing declining nuptials.
The Japan Business Federation, Keidanren, is calling for a revision of the law to promote diversity, equality, and inclusivity in Japanese society. This push comes after a group of plaintiffs filed a lawsuit seeking a change in the system.
Keidanren’s proposal aims to address the challenges faced by women who use their maiden names professionally but encounter issues with legal documents requiring their unified surnames. The organization’s initiative presents a shift from its usual support of the conservative governing Liberal Democratic Party, which has resisted the dual surname concept for over 30 years.
The proposal is scheduled for submission to the government, with growing public support for dual-surname households. Despite opposition from party conservatives, the call for diversity in family values and marriage is gaining traction in Japanese society.
With Japan’s gender gap ranking low on the global scale, the debate around dual surnames highlights ongoing challenges faced by women in the country. The conversation sparked by Keidanren’s proposal reflects a broader societal shift towards greater gender equality and diversity in Japan.
AP video journalist Richard Colombo contributed to this report.
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