Japan's main opposition party vows to realize separate surname option

This is all Edano has to offer? No wonder the LDP will be a predictable shoe in with increased numbers in November.

Agree with @theResident 4:55pm Is this all Japan has to offer it’s people other than the LDP?

@theResident 4:55pm: “ This is all Edano has to offer? No wonder the LDP will be a predictable shoe in with increased numbers in November.” -

It was CDPJ that opposed the ban on possession of chid pono in Japan.

Takaichi, a conservative, has also been a proponent of restrictions on the expression of animation, but CDPJ and the Communist Party have opposed it.

Ah yes the super hot topic as of late

man this party is really on their toes…

This is all Edano has to offer?

Article did say this and listed some examples

 among other reform proposals

Please win, Edano-san!

Information you need to know

LDP, Komeito

Prohibit possession of CP, prohibit CP of fictional characters, and promote restrictions on the expression of animation

CDPJ, JCP, SDPJ

Oppose ban on possession of CP, oppose regulation of CP of fictional characters, oppose regulation of anime expression

The ban on the possession of CP, was also opposed by the bar association.

Conservatives are anti-porno.

Takaichi and Aso are also proponents of restrictions on the expression of anime.

It was in 2014 that Japan banned the possession of CP, but the reason it took so long was because the opposition parties had opposed it.

theResidentToday  04:55 pm JST

This is all Edano has to offer? No wonder the LDP will be a predictable shoe in with increased numbers in November.

Agreed the LDP are most likely to win, largely due to the fact that they'll have candidates in every constituency and the CDPJ won't, but with increased numbers? Seriously? With the corruption scandals and the chronic mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis and the Olympics?

Takaichi has always argued that cruel games and obscene comics have a negative impact on youth and should be regulated.

I agree with Takaichi on that one, I am disgusted with CDPJ for allowing CP.

Other policies include introducing a law to protect the rights of sexual minorities, helping women subjected to domestic violence and a ban on discrimination based on gender, nationality and disability. The party also plans to review the country's immigration system

Mr.Edano you and your party have all my full support,this is how democratic and modern ideas should be applied for an advanced country.

Finger crossed that they can win next election.

For those unaware CDPJ is a new party not an old party, yes it is a mix of several old parties.

CDPJ cannot make large promises because even if they get in the current House of Councilors is controlled by the LDP.

@igfklin

Can you name one bill that the opposition parties have not opposed LDP on? regardless if they agree with it or not they oppose anything LDP propose.

good intention but low political program...

discrimination based on nationality etc...such law already exist. Go to mufg, without inkan nationals can open an account, foreigners no.

what about child abduction? power hara, mata hara, overwork no paid etc. I can provide you Edano a real program, just open your eyes.

igfklinToday  05:43 pm JST

I agree with Takaichi on that one, I am disgusted with CDPJ for allowing CP.

You say the CDPJ opposed the ban in 2014? They were only founded in 2017.

@diobrando

good intention but low political program...

discrimination based on nationality etc...such law already exist. Go to mufg, without inkan nationals can open an account, foreigners no.

what about child abduction? power hara, mata hara, overwork no paid etc. I can provide you Edano a real program, just open your eyes.

I guess you are unaware on how the political scene here is in Japan the LDP proved pack in 2009 how holding the majority in the house of councilors works against the House of Representatives each Bill must be passed through the Upper House if it is delayed and reaches the end of the session it is killed. and would need to be submitted at the next session they can veto it if it is returned during the current session but not if it is delayed...

This is reality of the biggest opposition party only making noise. They are too influenced by media and SNS.

Both Olympic chiefs Seiko Hashimoto and Tamayo Marukawa use their maiden names, even though they are both married. (Seiko Ishizaki and Tamayo Otsuka).

Other policies include introducing a law to protect the rights of sexual minorities, helping women subjected to domestic violence and a ban on discrimination based on gender, nationality and disability

Are there no policies already in place for these very serious matters?!!

Not much to get the voters motivated. Too bad.

Are there any JT posters who push CDPJ anyway?

You say the CDPJ opposed the ban in 2014? They were only founded in 2017.

Here you can see what each party had to say at the time, and you can see that all but the LDP and Komeito opposed the bill.

https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1306/28/news149.html

DPJ (the predecessor organization of CDPJ), to which Edano belonged, is also opposed.

It's 2021 and Japanese are still printing out presentations and glueing them on pieces of card.

Edano and his party are completely out of touch. I can see a landslide victory for LDP in the upcoming election.

Dear Ladies and Gentleman, just remember Politicians will say anything thing to win an election.

Empty promises and fake hand shakes is what they are known for, VOTE for a candidate based on their History and NOT what they tell you during the election.

Why is this even an issue? The whole world allows keeping different names, even all the developing, or underdeveloped countries. Just allow it and move forward. Stop wasting our tax money on the same thing every few months.

Finger crossed that they can win next election

Unfortunately this seems to be strategy they keep banking on.

Japan's main opposition party vows to realize separate surname option

People shouldn’t be forced to do anything but when the government gets involved in a private matter like people’s love life you should expect regulations on what marriage is and its form. Perhaps it would be better for government to get out of the marriage business altogether.

Japan's main opposition party vows to realize separate surname option

A political entrée.

The realty is a clear policy!

Economic, fiscal, monetary.

Can anyone seriously suggest any party has a coherent strategy, I contend none have a clue

They don't

I recommend ginger tea to Edano san-good for original ideas…

Why is this even an issue? The whole world allows keeping different names, even all the developing, or underdeveloped countries.

I would say that its because of the holy koseki (family registry) which like hankos, are a sacred part of Japanese culture that must not be tampered with. Too much trouble for city hall.

I agree with Takaichi on that one, I am disgusted with CDPJ for allowing CP.

Have never heard of anyone in power in Japan "allowing" CP. That's nonsense.

Japan's main opposition party vows to realize separate surname option

It's not much of a topic to campaign on.

igfklinToday  07:05 pm JST

Here you can see what each party had to say at the time, and you can see that all but the LDP and Komeito opposed the bill.

https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1306/28/news149.html

DPJ (the predecessor organization of CDPJ), to which Edano belonged, is also opposed.

It seems like such a no-brainer to support such legislation that I have to wonder what was wrong with it.

Who cares, seriously !?

Interesting that the people who say "who cares" and the like to "Japan's main opposition party vows to realize separate surname option" are male.

Forcing a woman to take the husband's surname is despicable. It continues descrimination against women.

The most ludicrous part is that women who marry foreigners can keep their surname. I guess taking a foreigner's surname is worse than whatever reason they can't keep their surname if they marry someone Japanese.

If this is something can be followed through, life in Japan will certainly get better. In my case, life in Japan is ok. But hoping that everyone get can better. It’s not just for me, but the community as a whole.

Wow ! Cool ...

Japan is trying to be a "real democracy" and respect the Japanese constitution even if it did originate from the USA.

Shame the concept of equality has bin also foreign for 5 thousands years.

Treat women and foreigners with respect and the international community might like Japan more.

The CDPJ's pledges also included lowering the consumption tax rate, achieving a zero-carbon society without nuclear energy, raising the minimum wage and opposing an amendment of the Constitution.

And that's why people will vote LDP. Because though the LDP isn't all that great, at least they have experience. It is almost certain that the CDPJ doesn't have an idea how they will balance the budget (or even control the deficit somewhat) while "lowering the consumption tax rate", or maintain the reliability of Japan's power grid while getting rid of both nuclear energy and fossil fuels. You also know they are not likely to have a national security plan considering the worsening correlation of forces in the Pacific. And while raising the minimum wage sounds like a good idea, you can bet the CDPJ hasn't the connections to handle that properly as well.

Ironically it is those relatively small pledges, like separate surnames, that look like the kind of thing they can accomplish with fouling anything up. But do you want the possibility of gaining such things to be at the expense of truly important matters?

As for the whole bit about porno, it's amazing how fast Westerners will abandon the benefits of freedom and the importance of limitation of government over-reach when it comes to their pet project :-)

@Farmboy: This is about removing a restriction, not adding one.

Exactly- government regulation of marriage places lots of restrictions on marriage and not just on surnames.

@uktokyo: Forcing a woman to take the husband's surname is despicable. It continues descrimination against women.

There is no law that the couple must take the husband’s surname. Most do so because of tradition. You are getting upset over an issue you have with Japanese women themselves - not their government.

I don't think many understand the importance of this.

The legal issues of surrendering your surname are immense. I know some males who have adopted their wife's surname (yes, that's possible) for inheritance and other legal reasons. I know others who have "married" but haven't registered their marriage to get around the requirement. My wife took my surname, and getting around with a katakana name in Japan is not always easy.

It's time to move into the 21st century, folks.

Kazuaki ShimazakiToday  02:02 am JST

And that's why people will vote LDP. Because though the LDP isn't all that great, at least they have experience.

They don't have much to show for it.

It is almost certain that the CDPJ doesn't have an idea how they will balance the budget (or even control the deficit somewhat) while "lowering the consumption tax rate", or maintain the reliability of Japan's power grid while getting rid of both nuclear energy and fossil fuels. You also know they are not likely to have a national security plan considering the worsening correlation of forces in the Pacific.

I don't see any evidence to suggest that the LDP has much of a clue what to do about any of these things either. They're very good at self-preservation but that seems to be about it.

And while raising the minimum wage sounds like a good idea, you can bet the CDPJ hasn't the connections to handle that properly as well.

Why should a ruling party need connections? Isn't it the civic duty of any such connections to cooperate with the government?

From early morning until night, and everyday, Japan's news shows have become advertising program for ruling party LDP.

Political fairness is nowhere at Japan's mainstream media including public broadcasting station.

Therefore, appeals from opposition parties who value human rights or diversity are in difficult to reach to Japanese society unfortunately.

Rolf AndersonSep. 13  11:31 pm JST

Very informative article.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is not only anti-marriage, thus also anti-family...

You deduced that from the article? How?

they are bosom buddies with the Communist Party.

I'd rather have the Communists in charge than the LDP.

I'd rather have the Communists in charge than the LDP.

same

Edano's policies listed on the board he's holding are "woke" issues.

It gives me the impression that he'll promise anything so as long as he can get the LDP booted out.

And that's why people will vote LDP. Because though the LDP isn't all that great, at least they have experience.

They don't have much to show for it.

LOL! Exactly!

i've taken my j wife's surname and lets just say life is so much easier that way especially for my kids... i don't see the big deal with surnames... maybe they should focus on more major social issues? like the pandemic or the aging population...

i've taken my j wife's surname and lets just say life is so much easier

It's gonna be difficult to prove you're the father when you go abroad.

People find it hard to believe that the Japanese surname always prevails.

Pierre LeVenerableSep. 13 11:34 pm JST

Who cares, seriously !?

Good question, I guess solely a very small minority of Japanese women.

For foreign nationals in Japan in case of marriage to a Japanese citizen this issue does not exist anyway.

ALL Japanese women I know have other problems, like to pay the loan for their home, how to find a regular job instead of occasional part time work, or health issues, various issues about their children and so on.

Our two daughters - both have chosen Japanese citizenship - do not care, after marriage they changed their family names to the name of their husbands. Same also with the daughter of my brother-in-law. Same with a few women of the Japanese staff in the office I was working before retirement. Nobody ever mentioned they have a problem with that.

wanderlustSep. 13 06:46 pm JST

Both Olympic chiefs Seiko Hashimoto and Tamayo Marukawa use their maiden names, even though they are both married. (Seiko Ishizaki and Tamayo Otsuka).

Many women who have anything to do with business related visitors etc. are doing this to avoid confusion, as customers and other staff are accustomed to their family name.

Also after marriage in our condominium building, I noticed couples put labels with both family names on their post-box - name change takes time, to change the name of banking accounts, credit cards, driving licence, etc.

It's easier to keep the same name for sure after marriage, less formalities - but in general I have to say, all Japanese I know personally, including our family members, just don't care, it's not really an important issue for them.

@Rolf Anderson

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is not only anti-marriage, thus also anti-family, they are bosom buddies with the Communist Party.

Are you trying to sell me on the CDPJ even more? That is a glowing review from my eyes.

Seriously though, this is just a simple overdue change to make. It is ridiculous it took this long or even needs to be a political position anyone has to take at all.

@Simon Foston Today 07:24 am JST

They don't have much to show for it.

I agree. But at least they kept things bumbling along, because they have a sense of what is possible.

I don't see any evidence to suggest that the LDP has much of a clue what to do about any of these things either.

And they don't pretend to (at least not as much as the CDP). They do understand the need to balance the budget, and they are raising the consumption tax, if hesitatingly and slowly. It's politically costly, but they are at least realistic and responsible enough to know something like that is necessary rather than just saying they'll lower consumption tax without answering the clear question of how they are going to fund everything.

They don't promise you they can get rid of carbon emissions or nuclear power, but at least you know you'll have your lights on. As for the Constitutional changes, objectively it is at least arguable that revision is needed and if you think you can push a minimum wage plan without at least the grudging acceptance of industry you are kidding yourself.

Kazuaki ShimazakiToday  01:11 pm JST

@Simon Foston Today 07:24 am JST

They don't have much to show for it.

I agree. But at least they kept things bumbling along, because they have a sense of what is possible.

Not much of a reason to support them. Plenty of people have a sense of what is possible but don't do much about it.

They do understand the need to balance the budget...

I don't see much evidence of that either, with the skyrocketing deficit and record-breaking budget requests every year. I was rather of the impression that they didn't really care at all about that kind of stuff as long as their over-represented supporters were getting all their pork barrel kickbacks.

It's politically costly, but they are at least realistic and responsible enough to know something like that is necessary rather than just saying they'll lower consumption tax without answering the clear question of how they are going to fund everything.

Deep cuts in wasteful spending might help.

They don't promise you they can get rid of carbon emissions or nuclear power...

No, I'm sure donations from power executives to local "political organisations" would dry up pretty quickly if they did.

 if you think you can push a minimum wage plan without at least the grudging acceptance of industry you are kidding yourself.

Really? No one bothered about getting the "grudging acceptance" of the public before raising the consumption tax. Why should employers get any more consideration?

@Simon FostonToday 02:16 pm JST

Not much of a reason to support them. Plenty of people have a sense of what is possible but don't do much about it.

True, but at least they are not fouling things up. There is a reason why every time this country occasionally votes for something other than LDP they don't last long. For example, the last time Japan picked the DPJ, they promised to get American troops out of Okinawa. Obviously, that promise was made without considering either defense realities or American attitudes. Hatoyama was soon forced to backtrack and was replaced not long thereafter. Similarly, remember the time Japan tried to arrest the captain of the Chinese ramfishingboat MinJinYue? In the end in both cases, Japan ended up getting the worst of both worlds, because the DPJ lacked a sense of what is possible.

When it comes to running countries, you can do a lot worse than "bumbling along".

Deep cuts in wasteful spending might help.

Like? The bitter reality is that most of Japan's financial problems are due to funding the social security (pension) program. In comparison the pork barrel kickbacks are a drop in the bucket. Even if we somehow got rid of pork barrel kickbacks (besides, kickbacks are a sad but entrenched part of politics, so if you want things done you have to give at least a few kickbacks), there are many areas of Japan's budget that badly need a boost. Defense really needs to be doubled, and if you don't like that there are a menu of education et al programs that might use some funds. From a big picture view, Japan needs to squeeze more tax out of its citizens if it's ever going to balance the books.

Really? No one bothered about getting the "grudging acceptance" of the public before raising the consumption tax. Why should employers get any more consideration?

Yes they did, that's why you had things like step ups to 5, then 8, then 10 and even now some categories are 8%. Nobody is going to cheer about extra taxes, it's not a secret Japan is heavily in budget deficit, so it is necessary, a price of providing pensions beyond means from previous years. If you don't think they have "grudging acceptance", I'd like to know why. The LDP certainly seems to be on course to being voted it again.

Kazuaki ShimazakiToday  04:45 pm JST

@Simon FostonToday 02:16 pm JST

Not much of a reason to support them. Plenty of people have a sense of what is possible but don't do much about it.

True, but at least they are not fouling things up.

I think over the past 70 or so years the LDP have fouled everything up on a much deeper and more fundamental level, leaving Japan with a broken education system, a falling birthrate, skyrocketing deficits, a dying rural economy, zombie companies, a laughable record on gender equality, endemic corruption in politics and a broken election system.

For example, the last time Japan picked the DPJ, they promised to get American troops out of Okinawa. Obviously, that promise was made without considering either defense realities or American attitudes. Hatoyama was soon forced to backtrack and was replaced not long thereafter. Similarly, remember the time Japan tried to arrest the captain of the Chinese ramfishingboat MinJinYue? In the end in both cases, Japan ended up getting the worst of both worlds, because the DPJ lacked a sense of what is possible.

That comment would carry more weight if the DPJ still existed and had the same leadership.

Like? The bitter reality is that most of Japan's financial problems are due to funding the social security (pension) program. 

Then raise the retirement age to 70 so healthy seniors can keep working, earning and paying income tax and national health insurance, pay out less in pensions to retirees who were high income earners, and lean on employers to hire more full-time workers and raise salaries so that more money from employees gets into the social security program. Not the best ideas maybe, but I haven't heard of the LDP coming up with or implementing any better ones.

If you don't think they have "grudging acceptance", I'd like to know why. 

I seem to recall that no one had much of a choice at the time. It was the DPJ who raised the consumption tax, but I think the LDP would have done exactly the same. I don't think it helped the DPJ's reelection prospects either. Employers should get the same consideration when any decisions are being made about the minimum wage.

The LDP certainly seems to be on course to being voted it again.

Well of course it is. Other parties' grasp on reality and their past record notwithstanding, none of them have the numbers to take on the LDP and win a commanding majority. It doesn't mean the LDP will deserve to win.

Boy, there are first-world problems and then there are Japanese first-world problems…

yup....that's the policy that the people are wanting brought in....what a deal breaker!! Those LDP fools will be voted out quick smart now.......

Sheikh YerboabyToday  01:02 pm JST

yup....that's the policy that the people are wanting brought in....what a deal breaker!! Those LDP fools will be voted out quick smart now.......

You can just tell they know they're not going to win, so they're not even really trying. It seems that the Japanese taxpayer is quite happy to keep on paying LDP Diet members something like $140,000 a year to be a bit rubbish. That being said, voters in constituencies represented by CDPJ, SDP or JCP Diet members seem to be okay with them to keep drawing equally big salaries for achieving, well, I can't think of anything they've achieved. A government that doesn't know how to govern and an opposition that doesn't know how to oppose. Not a great situation really.