Japan main opposition submits bill to change surname system

Bill seeks to respect individuals and ensure an 'equal footing' for spouses

20250430 upper house japan

The issue of allowing married couples to use different surnames is likely to be a major point of contention in the run-up to the House of Councilors election this summer. © Reuters

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's largest opposition party on Wednesday submitted a bill to parliament calling for married couples to be allowed to use different surnames, tackling an issue that has long divided the conservative ruling party led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

The bill drafted by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan seeks to respect individual choices and ensure an "equal footing" for married couples.

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