Ishiba says he will accelerate debate over selective surname system

He must have got in time for a smoke. Have another, a change is what's needed here not another talkfest. It's ridiculous forcing people to change a name if they don't want. The public needs to stop shoulder shrugs and shoganais too.

Modern Japan in 21st century still debating surname after marriage, while some grocery items already goes up 100% and more, that just Japan.

In China, women have kept their surnames after marriage for more than two millenniums and yet no one thinks China is the champion of gender equality.

The Komeito party, the junior partner of the LDP-led ruling coalition, is also positive about the change, which would require a Civil Code revision.

Just making excuses. All it takes is some paperwork getting done. But then getting all the necessary "inkan" will probably take at least a generation!

The LDP remains divided over the issue, with conservative members opposed to the idea, fearing it would undermine traditional family values.

What a bunch of garbage! With something like 50% of all marriages ending up in divorce here, please stop with the constant excuse of "undermining traditional family values".

I really get the feeling that these "conservative" LDP members, have their heads in the sand, and think they are living in the Edo era!

Japan is the only country in the world where only one surname must be used...excepted when partner is a foreigner, no need to change so in what it is difficult to enter in 21st century?!

Good, keep debating and continues. Japan should growing a group of women in a committee to debate what to do with surname after marriage. Fair enough for gender equality !

"It's not an issue that we can continue to put off a decision on because public interest is extremely high,"

No, it isn't. It's high among dinosaurs who think any change will be an affront to their antiquated worldview. This is Japan's version of the culture wars, making up an inconsequential issue and treating it like the biggest current problem.

Allowing married couples to have separate surnames will only be met with pushback from hard-line right-wingers while making some people's lives much easier at no-one's expense. However, it won't do away with issues such as constantly rising prices, stagnating wages and other, more glaring, forms of inequality.

The Komeito party, the junior partner of the LDP-led ruling coalition, is also positive about the change, which would require a Civil Code revision.

Except that when a foreigner is involved the wife can keep the Japanese family name. Easy. Convenient. No Civil Code revision needed.

@PrettyOcean Because the LDP dinosaurs are out of touch with the general population and most especially the youth who just might get married in the near future.

Except that when a foreigner is involved the wife can keep the Japanese family name. Easy. Convenient. No Civil Code revision needed.

Sure it's needed. When the code was written, no one ever figured that any Japanese "citizen" would consider marrying a foreign devil and need to add their name to an exaulted Japanese person's family (divine) registry!

They made this mole hill a mountain. Something less than 3% of marriage would do this so there’s no big deal in making it an option. Old people wanting to keep their standard for no reason even when it doesn’t affect them whatsoever. Probably going to be less than 50 marriages a year that even considering this. Just do it and move on to real topics like the economy

They made this mole hill a mountain. Something less than 3% of marriage would do this so there’s no big deal in making it an option. Old people wanting to keep their standard for no reason even when it doesn’t affect them whatsoever. Probably going to be less than 50 marriages a year that even considering this. Just do it and move on to real topics like the economy

What hat are you pulling these numbers from? This is about NEW marriages, and there is absolutely no way to know if anyone in a current marriage would want to change or not. You assume much.

You also assume that "less than 50 marriages per year" or "less than 3 %" would even want to keep separate names.

You have one heck of a crystal ball to read into everyone's thoughts.

Ever consider that everyone might want to keep their own name, and are just conforming to the current law, because they have no choice?

What debate?

A man and woman marry , which starts a family, which only needs one surname.

No debate necessary and just a waste of time and our money.

Are there not more important things to worry about? A name is just a name. I couldn't care less if my partner takes my name, I take my partners name or we both have different names. It simply will not affect the quality of my life!

Jeremiah

What debate?

A man and woman marry , which starts a family, which only needs one surname.

No debate necessary and just a waste of time and our money.

You have posted that before but I still don't understand why?

There is no need to change what has been working successfully.

"It's not an issue that we can continue to put off a decision on because public interest is extremely high," Ishiba said 

What a way to waste a lot of time............just approve it already and move on.

The faster you do it, Ishhhhhh, the longer you can take your little smoke break.

It is mostly women who need to change their family names upon marriage in Japan.

Do women “need” to change their name? Is there a “requirement” that the woman change her name? Or is it just the historical custom the woman would change her name?

Instead of the woman, a man could change his name, couldn’t he?

It's just a distraction from the real issues that are causing Japan's death spiral.

From the photo it doesn't look like this is exactly at the top of the agenda!

Women don’t “need” to change their names, but it’s traditional that they do. Men can take their wife’s name, but is more common that the man gets adopted by the wife’s family.

On divorce, the rate in Japan is about 35%.

That Ishiba can’t even get this minor change through his own party doesn’t bode well for any economic reform that will benefit your average Taro and Keiko (with different last names or not).

Many Japanese women ( and the people they vote for) should put this issue on the back burner and focus on far more important things?

Like proper childcare facilities, lowering the cost of groceries, housing, etc.

@Jeremiah

What debate?

A man and woman marry , which starts a family, which only needs one surname.

This doesn't work when the woman has a professional career, many work under her name.

I find it amazing this is even a discussion. Here in Blighty (Britain for anyone who hasn’t heard that before) men and women choose whatever name they want when they complete the marriage “paperwork”

Over the last 20 years It’s become extremely common to keep both maiden and married names as it honours both sides of the new union’s family.