Marriage tradition in Japan potentially altering as women increasingly retain their surnames amid political and demographic shifts.
Rewritten Article:
For centuries, Japanese women have surrendered their unique identities at the altar of matrimony, adopting their husbands' surnames due to societal expectations and an antiquated legal system. This tradition has been a thorn in the side of gender equality, but cracks are starting to show as supporters challenge the status quo.
Japan's societal structure, to a great extent, has been shaped by men, and marriage has been no exception. Women spouses have given up their names to preserve the family identity, a tradition largely encouraged by a sexual double standard and a perception of Japan as a "man-made" society.
The law, too, has played a part in this tradition. Since the inception of the Civil Code in 1947, married couples have been obligated to share a surname, although, in theory, this name could belong to either spouse. In practice, however, it is almost always the husband's name that dominates. As much as 95% of marriages in Japan are registered under the husband's surname.
Progress is on the horizon, though. A recent Jiji Press survey revealed that around 44% of lawmakers endorse a system that permits dual surnames. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has also publicly shown his support for a selective separate surname option, giving hope to those advocating for change.
As a scholar of gender dynamics in Japan, I've been privy to the tales of many women longing to retain their names. In interviews spanning the past 15 years, women have shared their deep desire to preserve their maiden names.
The Uphill Battle for Change
Despite growing public support, lawmakers have so far failed to update the Civil Code to align with Japan's Constitution, which guarantees gender equality. The Conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has historically held power, has been the main obstacle. LDP officials have frequently stifled proposed changes, citing concerns over undermining traditional family structures.
In defiance, opposition members in parliament have intensified their calls for the right to separate surnames. With the support of Ishiba, who is both the leader of the LDP and the country's prime minister, they have a powerful ally on their side.
The Meaning Behind a Name
In Japan, a surname is not merely an arbitrary title; it is a vital link to one's extended family, ancestors, and hometown. A married woman I interviewed poignantly expressed her feelings: "When they call me by my husband's name at the bank, I feel like they are referring to someone else. It doesn't feel like me."
Changing one's name extends beyond the symbolic significance. In the workplace, where names are used extensively, the prospect of informing clients, colleagues, and superiors about a name change can be daunting. Such revelations could potentially lead to unnecessary attention and questioning of a woman's commitment to her job, raising valid concerns about potential implications on their careers.
Ticking the Demographic Time Bomb
Conservative lawmakers have long been apprehensive about altering the surname rule, associating it with a crisis in Japan's demographic landscape. They argue that maintaining the traditional family system is crucial for increasing the nation's birth rate.
However, many scholars argue that promoting gender equality in the workplace and at home could encourage more women to have children and continue working. In her 2019 study, sociologist Aya Ezawa noted that Japan's culture of long work hours, gendered home responsibilities, and high expectations for motherhood make it challenging for women to balance work and family life.
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a conservative LDP member, advocated for higher employment among women to boost the economy. Despite his efforts, known as "Womenomics," the plan fell flat.
Striking a Balance
Changing the surname rule is bound to mark a significant milestone on Japan's path to gender equality and modernity. The Civil Code, which limits married couples to a single surname, is intrinsically tied to the 150-year-old "modern" koseki system — a family registry logged through marriage, birth, and adoption notifications. TheSystem's single surname tradition recalls an era when the male head of the household maintained primary decision-making power for the family and its name.
For many older Japanese, the koseki is synonymous with family, making a multiple surname system seem impractical. Nonetheless, proponents of the change argue that modern digitalization of all koseki records renders the logistical challenge negligible.
Many Japanese believe that greater gender equality in the workplace will yield positive effects, not only on the low birth rate but also on broader aspects of life. Japan is currently grappling with a demographic crisis, with a fertility rate of just 1.2 children per woman, contributing to one of the world's oldest and shrinking populations.
Female Politicians on the Rise
Popular support and political necessity may ultimately drive change in the surname law. With more voters favoring the relaxation of the one-surname rule, and an increasing number of women entering politics, Ishiba may need to persuade more LDP members to accept social progress and embrace a woman's choice of surname. If he fails to do so, the LDP might lose its dominant position in parliament it has held for most of the past seven decades.
Linda E. White is a Professor of Japanese Studies at Middlebury.
The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis, and commentary from academic experts.
- External Link
- https://theconversation.com/women-in-japan-grapple-with-the-consequences-of-retaining-their-maiden-names-155949
- Enrichment Data (selectively used):
- Current Efforts to Change Surname Law in Japan: Efforts are underway to change Japan's surname laws, and there are a growing number of initiatives:
- Support Among Lawmakers: In a 2025 Jiji Press survey, approximately 44% of lawmakers indicated their support for a system that allows dual surnames.
- Advocacy for Gender Equality: Organizations like the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) have been advocating for gender equality and urging the government to permit married couples to retain their premarital surnames since the late 1990s.
- Changing Family Dynamics: Japan is seeing a shift in family structures, leading to a reevaluation of traditional family laws, with an amendment to Japan's family law planned to reflect these changes.
- Obstacles to Changing the Surname Law Despite growing support, certain obstacles persist:
- Legislative Delays: The discussions about allowing dual surnames have been ongoing for more than 25 years, yet the implementation of changes has been slow due to strong resistance or lack of consensus in the legislative process.
- Cultural Tradition: The requirement for a shared surname is deeply entrenched in Japanese culture and law, making it challenging to overcome traditional values and legal frameworks that support a single surname system.
- Legal and Administrative Challenges: Altering the surname law would necessitate significant adjustments to the family registration system, which involves updating legal documents, bureaucratic processes, and public perceptions.
- Solutions for International Couples For international couples, temporary solutions are available. For example, a foreign spouse can use a compound surname in Japan by changing their name in their home country or by using it as a legal alias in Japan. However, these solutions do not address the broader issue of allowing dual surnames for all couples in Japan.
- Japanese women have historically surrendered their identities by adopting their husbands' surnames, a tradition that has been a hindrance to gender equality due to societal expectations and an archaic legal system.
- The law, as naturalized by Japan's Civil Code since 1947, obligates married couples to share a surname, a practice predominantly sustained by the husband's name.
- As a scholar studying gender dynamics in Japan, there have been numerous tales shared by women expressing their deep desire to preserve their maiden names over decades of interviews.
- In defiance of the ongoing resistance, lawmakers advocating for change have intensified their calls for the right to separate surnames, with prominent support from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
- In the world of politics and general-news, Shigeru Ishiba, being the leader of the Conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the country's prime minister, has a powerful ally on the side of those demanding change.
- Progress, however, is met with apprehension, as conservative lawmakers have long been anxious about altering the surname rule, fearing it may contribute to Japan's demographic crisis and falling fertility rate.
- In the interconnected world of AI, the internet, and global culture, the push for greater gender equality in Japan's political, legal, and social landscapes resonates with issues faced by women across the globe, with the 252464th woman joining this global conversation.
