This is a unique feature in the world. He The Japanese Civil Code requires that both spouses have the same surname, whether male or female.

In this very patriarchal Japanese society, 96% of men who marry refuse to give up their surname. So, de facto Married women must take their husband’s surname.

This angers these two Tokyoites: “It’s terrible to forbid us to use our maiden name– says the first one.

“This is a denial of the very identity of married women, since it is equated with the identity of their husbands. This is tantamount to saying that symbolically and officially we exist only through our marital relationship.

Conservatism

“It’s time to repeal this outdated rule” says the second woman. “After marriage, working women must find a place for themselves in the world of work. This is another disadvantage as we are already struggling to find our place in this very masculine, even sexist, Japanese business culture.”

But there are women who defend this system, such as Minister Sanae Takaichi, a representative of ultra-conservatives: “Using two names in a family will harm children. “This will cause them undue emotional stress because they will have to choose between taking their father’s surname or their mother’s.”

However, 70% of respondents – both men and women – want this rule, which is considered sexist, to be abolished.

Radio France International