Japan Couples Sue to End Surname Law, This Time With Business Backing
- Lobby group Keidanran throws weight behind latest challenge
- Archaic law causes serious personal, professional difficulties
The single-surname system dates back to 1898 when Japan adopted laws to formalize its patriarchal family system.
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Six couples sued the Japanese government over a law that requires married spouses to have the same surname, the latest legal challenge against a century-old custom that many argue perpetuates inequality, as well as personal and practical harm.
Ten plaintiffs — including legal and common law couples — filed suit on Friday in a Tokyo district court and one couple in Sapporo, coinciding with International Women’s Day to draw attention to the fact that the practice disproportionately affects women. If the Supreme Court rules that the law is unconstitutional it will go on to be reviewed in parliament.