In Japan, a group of six couples has initiated legal action against the government's longstanding requirement that married couples share a surname, a practice that has been in place since the 19th century. This move, highlighted on International Women's Day (#IWD2024), seeks to challenge a century-old system viewed by many as perpetuating inequality. The issue has sparked editorial commentary, advocating for Japan to join South Korea in strengthening bilateral ties and for the Japanese Diet to allow open debate on the one-surname rule. Additionally, there's a call for a selective surname system to protect women's rights, with 12 individuals filing lawsuits in support of separate surnames for married couples.
Six couples are suing the Japanese government seeking the right to use different surnames after marriage, filing the case to coincide with International Women's Day. Since the 19th century, married couples must choose the husband's or the wife's name https://t.co/axlHAi8AIh https://t.co/BGKpVup979
Lawsuits Filed in Japan to Overturn Dual Surname Ban https://t.co/QGy5wpLgvQ
EDITORIAL: Diet should allow open debate on 1-surname rule for married couples | The Asahi Shimbun Asia & #Japan Watch https://t.co/eO6jBrOt6S
12 file lawsuits against Japan gov't in support of separate surnames https://t.co/GIkKmym4fI
Happy #InternationalWomensDay! 6 couples are suing the JP government over a law that requires married spouses to have the same surname, the latest legal challenge against a century-old custom that many argue perpetuates inequality. From @MomokaYokoyama_ https://t.co/XYTdFr759D
Japan still forces married couples to share a surname. These six couples are trying to change the century-old system #IWD2024 https://t.co/3guuzxU1cM
Editorial: Selective surname system a way to protect women's rights in Japan https://t.co/8dTj8UL2zU
EDITORIAL: Japan should join South Korea in strengthening bilateral ties | The Asahi Shimbun Asia & #Japan Watch https://t.co/1rOda9gJKq