Over 40 percent of Japanese want to keep using their original family names at work after they get married, a Cabinet Office survey showed, as parliamentary debate continues over whether married couples should be permitted to have separate surnames.
The survey, which solicited responses from both women and men, showed that 43.3 percent want to keep using their original surnames, up 4.2 points from a 2023 survey, while 55.2 percent said they "do not want to use them."
By age group, respondents in their 30s were most in favor of keeping their original surnames at work at 57.8 percent.
Respondents were not asked whether they were in favor of allowing couples the option to have separate surnames, as the question is set to be asked in another opinion poll conducted by the Justice Ministry.
The survey was conducted between September and November last year. It is possible the results were influenced by the September presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, with separate surnames becoming a topic of intense debate at parliamentary sessions.
By gender, 47.7 percent of male respondents and 39.6 percent of female respondents were in favor of using their original surnames at work, up 3.5 and 4.9 points respectively from the previous poll.
As for other age groups, 48.2 percent of those in their 50s were in favor of continuing to use their original surnames, along with 48.0 percent of people in their 40s and 45.2 percent of respondents aged 18 to 29.
When asked whether they believed Japanese society treats men and women as equals, only 16.7 percent thought so.
As for gender equality in politics, 9.4 percent said it exists, while 87.9 percent believed men receive preferential treatment.
The survey solicited answers from 5,000 men and women aged 18 and older, garnering a response rate of about 53.3 percent.
Surveys were conducted in person up until 2019, or before the coronavirus pandemic, and have been conducted by mail since the previous one, whose results were released in 2023.
© KYODO
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sakurasuki
In 2021st century JGovt just try to consider and discuss dual surnames. In Japan things can be really slow.
Asiaman7
So use them!
I personally don’t know of a Japanese company that doesn’t allow someone to keep using their original family name. And the article certainly doesn’t mention any.
sakurasuki
In fact Japanese Business Federation also on the side who pushes this change,
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/24/japan/japan-business-dual-surname/
.
So where's the obstacle come from?
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293942/japans-ruling-ldp-resume-talks-selective-dual-surname-system-married-couples
dbsaiya
I think if you check the demographics, professionals would be much higher.
YeahRight
What do they want to use? I'm especially wondering what the men want to use since their original family name is the default. Do they want to change it to some fantasy name from a manga or anime? Questions abound.
Antiquesaving
"Allowed to use" and fully using are two different things.
My wife got to keep her surname due to the loophole of marrying a foreigner.
Her company let's everyone keep using their surname after marriage unless hired after already married.
To "use" their original name on a daily basis with coworkers and clients is basically an unofficial situation.
But because of the laws " Yoko Tanaka" as everyone at the office will refer to her will have her tax, health insurance, pension, my number card, etc... all being under "Yoko Suzuki" after marriage because the law requires that, this often leads to confusion in the HR departments especially in larger companies.
zulander
the other way of looking at it - over 50% dont ?