(Translation of above: “Even though our names are different, I LOVE YOU”, Tokyo)

Wouldn’t it be great if married couples could choose whether they wanted to share a surname or keep their respective surnames as they wish? 

Japan is the only country that requires married couples to share a single surname. Statistics show that over 96% of the time, the woman adopts her husband’s surname. 

While there are couples who prefer sharing the same surname, there are others who face obstacles in the workplace after changing their surname, or feel as if they had lost a part of who they are. 

The government is pushing for both women in the workplace and marriage and childbirth. yet, how can Japanese women thrive in society when they aren’t afforded the basic right to keep their surname (and option available to their peers in other countries)? 

Although this issue has been on the table for 30 years, and has been criticized by other countries and the UN as being discriminatory against women, Japan has done nothing so far to rectify the situation. 

On December 16th 2015, Japan’s top court ruled that the current civil law requiring couples to adhere to a shared surname was constitutional and the court would not do anything to proactively change the situation. We were extremely disappointed with how the case ended, and trust was lost in the top court. The only viable option left is to demand parliament to engage in changing the law. 

The “Optional surname system” will not force every couple to keep their respective surnames. If couples prefer shared names, that is allowed, and if they prefer separate names, that should also be allowed. It is merely increasing the availability of options to suit diverse lifestyles. 

Under current law (civil code article 75) married couples must choose which person’s name to use, and must change accordingly. Many people experience inconveniences due to this requirement. 

Many people have said that no matter how much they loved their partner, changing their surname left them feeling as if they were no longer themselves, and felt a sense of loss.

We believe that having the option to keep surnames is imperative to making Japan a more comfortable and livable society for all. 

In order to influence the parliament to make these necessary changes, we must make our voices be heard. “Public opinion” is composed of our individual voices coming together. 

Let’s continue to raise our voices to make optional surnames a reality!

Wouldn’t it be great if married couples could choose whether they wanted to share a surname or keep their respective surnames as they wish? 

Japan is the only country that requires married couples to share a single surname. Statistics show that over 96% of the time, the woman adopts her husband’s surname. 

While there are couples who prefer sharing the same surname, there are others who face obstacles in the workplace after changing their surname, or feel as if they had lost a part of who they are. 

The government is pushing for both women in the workplace and marriage and childbirth. yet, how can Japanese women thrive in society when they aren’t afforded the basic right to keep their surname (and option available to their peers in other countries)? 

Although this issue has been on the table for 30 years, and has been criticized by other countries and the UN as being discriminatory against women, Japan has done nothing so far to rectify the situation. 

On December 16th 2015, Japan’s top court ruled that the current civil law requiring couples to adhere to a shared surname was constitutional and the court would not do anything to proactively change the situation. We were extremely disappointed with how the case ended, and trust was lost in the top court. The only viable option left is to demand parliament to engage in changing the law. 

The “Optional surname system” will not force every couple to keep their respective surnames. If couples prefer shared names, that is allowed, and if they prefer separate names, that should also be allowed. It is merely increasing the availability of options to suit diverse lifestyles. 

Under current law (civil code article 75) married couples must choose which person’s name to use, and must change accordingly. Many people experience inconveniences due to this requirement. 

Many people have said that no matter how much they loved their partner, changing their surname left them feeling as if they were no longer themselves, and felt a sense of loss.

We believe that having the option to keep surnames is imperative to making Japan a more comfortable and livable society for all. 

In order to influence the parliament to make these necessary changes, we must make our voices be heard. “Public opinion” is composed of our individual voices coming together. 

Let’s continue to raise our voices to make optional surnames a reality!

Wouldn’t it be great if married couples could choose whether they wanted to share a surname or keep their respective surnames as they wish? 

Japan is the only country that requires married couples to share a single surname. Statistics show that over 96% of the time, the woman adopts her husband’s surname. 

While there are couples who prefer sharing the same surname, there are others who face obstacles in the workplace after changing their surname, or feel as if they had lost a part of who they are. 

The government is pushing for both women in the workplace and marriage and childbirth. yet, how can Japanese women thrive in society when they aren’t afforded the basic right to keep their surname (and option available to their peers in other countries)? 

Although this issue has been on the table for 30 years, and has been criticized by other countries and the UN as being discriminatory against women, Japan has done nothing so far to rectify the situation. 

On December 16th 2015, Japan’s top court ruled that the current civil law requiring couples to adhere to a shared surname was constitutional and the court would not do anything to proactively change the situation. We were extremely disappointed with how the case ended, and trust was lost in the top court. The only viable option left is to demand parliament to engage in changing the law. 

The “Optional surname system” will not force every couple to keep their respective surnames. If couples prefer shared names, that is allowed, and if they prefer separate names, that should also be allowed. It is merely increasing the availability of options to suit diverse lifestyles. 

Under current law (civil code article 75) married couples must choose which person’s name to use, and must change accordingly. Many people experience inconveniences due to this requirement. 

Many people have said that no matter how much they loved their partner, changing their surname left them feeling as if they were no longer themselves, and felt a sense of loss.

We believe that having the option to keep surnames is imperative to making Japan a more comfortable and livable society for all. 

In order to influence the parliament to make these necessary changes, we must make our voices be heard. “Public opinion” is composed of our individual voices coming together. 

Let’s continue to raise our voices to make optional surnames a reality!

Wouldn’t it be great if married couples could choose whether they wanted to share a surname or keep their respective surnames as they wish? 

Japan is the only country that requires married couples to share a single surname. Statistics show that over 96% of the time, the woman adopts her husband’s surname. 

While there are couples who prefer sharing the same surname, there are others who face obstacles in the workplace after changing their surname, or feel as if they had lost a part of who they are. 

The government is pushing for both women in the workplace and marriage and childbirth. yet, how can Japanese women thrive in society when they aren’t afforded the basic right to keep their surname (and option available to their peers in other countries)? 

Although this issue has been on the table for 30 years, and has been criticized by other countries and the UN as being discriminatory against women, Japan has done nothing so far to rectify the situation. 

On December 16th 2015, Japan’s top court ruled that the current civil law requiring couples to adhere to a shared surname was constitutional and the court would not do anything to proactively change the situation. We were extremely disappointed with how the case ended, and trust was lost in the top court. The only viable option left is to demand parliament to engage in changing the law. 

The “Optional surname system” will not force every couple to keep their respective surnames. If couples prefer shared names, that is allowed, and if they prefer separate names, that should also be allowed. It is merely increasing the availability of options to suit diverse lifestyles. 

Under current law (civil code article 75) married couples must choose which person’s name to use, and must change accordingly. Many people experience inconveniences due to this requirement. 

Many people have said that no matter how much they loved their partner, changing their surname left them feeling as if they were no longer themselves, and felt a sense of loss.

We believe that having the option to keep surnames is imperative to making Japan a more comfortable and livable society for all. 

In order to influence the parliament to make these necessary changes, we must make our voices be heard. “Public opinion” is composed of our individual voices coming together. 

Let’s continue to raise our voices to make optional surnames a reality!

Wouldn’t it be great if married couples could choose whether they wanted to share a surname or keep their respective surnames as they wish? 

Japan is the only country that requires married couples to share a single surname. Statistics show that over 96% of the time, the woman adopts her husband’s surname. 

While there are couples who prefer sharing the same surname, there are others who face obstacles in the workplace after changing their surname, or feel as if they had lost a part of who they are. 

The government is pushing for both women in the workplace and marriage and childbirth. yet, how can Japanese women thrive in society when they aren’t afforded the basic right to keep their surname (and option available to their peers in other countries)? 

Although this issue has been on the table for 30 years, and has been criticized by other countries and the UN as being discriminatory against women, Japan has done nothing so far to rectify the situation. 

On December 16th 2015, Japan’s top court ruled that the current civil law requiring couples to adhere to a shared surname was constitutional and the court would not do anything to proactively change the situation. We were extremely disappointed with how the case ended, and trust was lost in the top court. The only viable option left is to demand parliament to engage in changing the law. 

The “Optional surname system” will not force every couple to keep their respective surnames. If couples prefer shared names, that is allowed, and if they prefer separate names, that should also be allowed. It is merely increasing the availability of options to suit diverse lifestyles. 

Under current law (civil code article 75) married couples must choose which person’s name to use, and must change accordingly. Many people experience inconveniences due to this requirement. 

Many people have said that no matter how much they loved their partner, changing their surname left them feeling as if they were no longer themselves, and felt a sense of loss.

We believe that having the option to keep surnames is imperative to making Japan a more comfortable and livable society for all. 

In order to influence the parliament to make these necessary changes, we must make our voices be heard. “Public opinion” is composed of our individual voices coming together. 

Let’s continue to raise our voices to make optional surnames a reality!

(Translation of the above: “Never give up! Separate Surnames”, Philly)

Wouldn’t it be great if married couples could choose whether they wanted to share a surname or keep their respective surnames as they wish? 

Japan is the only country that requires married couples to share a single surname. Statistics show that over 96% of the time, the woman adopts her husband’s surname. 

While there are couples who prefer sharing the same surname, there are others who face obstacles in the workplace after changing their surname, or feel as if they had lost a part of who they are. 

The government is pushing for both women in the workplace and marriage and childbirth. yet, how can Japanese women thrive in society when they aren’t afforded the basic right to keep their surname (and option available to their peers in other countries)? 

Although this issue has been on the table for 30 years, and has been criticized by other countries and the UN as being discriminatory against women, Japan has done nothing so far to rectify the situation. 

On December 16th 2015, Japan’s top court ruled that the current civil law requiring couples to adhere to a shared surname was constitutional and the court would not do anything to proactively change the situation. We were extremely disappointed with how the case ended, and trust was lost in the top court. The only viable option left is to demand parliament to engage in changing the law. 

The “Optional surname system” will not force every couple to keep their respective surnames. If couples prefer shared names, that is allowed, and if they prefer separate names, that should also be allowed. It is merely increasing the availability of options to suit diverse lifestyles. 

Under current law (civil code article 75) married couples must choose which person’s name to use, and must change accordingly. Many people experience inconveniences due to this requirement. 

Many people have said that no matter how much they loved their partner, changing their surname left them feeling as if they were no longer themselves, and felt a sense of loss.

We believe that having the option to keep surnames is imperative to making Japan a more comfortable and livable society for all. 

In order to influence the parliament to make these necessary changes, we must make our voices be heard. “Public opinion” is composed of our individual voices coming together. 

Let’s continue to raise our voices to make optional surnames a reality!

Wouldn’t it be great if married couples could choose whether they wanted to share a surname or keep their respective surnames as they wish? 

Japan is the only country that requires married couples to share a single surname. Statistics show that over 96% of the time, the woman adopts her husband’s surname. 

While there are couples who prefer sharing the same surname, there are others who face obstacles in the workplace after changing their surname, or feel as if they had lost a part of who they are. 

The government is pushing for both women in the workplace and marriage and childbirth. yet, how can Japanese women thrive in society when they aren’t afforded the basic right to keep their surname (and option available to their peers in other countries)? 

Although this issue has been on the table for 30 years, and has been criticized by other countries and the UN as being discriminatory against women, Japan has done nothing so far to rectify the situation. 

On December 16th 2015, Japan’s top court ruled that the current civil law requiring couples to adhere to a shared surname was constitutional and the court would not do anything to proactively change the situation. We were extremely disappointed with how the case ended, and trust was lost in the top court. The only viable option left is to demand parliament to engage in changing the law. 

The “Optional surname system” will not force every couple to keep their respective surnames. If couples prefer shared names, that is allowed, and if they prefer separate names, that should also be allowed. It is merely increasing the availability of options to suit diverse lifestyles. 

Under current law (civil code article 75) married couples must choose which person’s name to use, and must change accordingly. Many people experience inconveniences due to this requirement. 

Many people have said that no matter how much they loved their partner, changing their surname left them feeling as if they were no longer themselves, and felt a sense of loss.

We believe that having the option to keep surnames is imperative to making Japan a more comfortable and livable society for all. 

In order to influence the parliament to make these necessary changes, we must make our voices be heard. “Public opinion” is composed of our individual voices coming together. 

Let’s continue to raise our voices to make optional surnames a reality!