Editorial: Deeper debate urged on separate surnames, same-sex marriage in Japan election
In the upcoming House of Councillors election, the introduction of a selective married couple surname system and the legalization of same-sex marriage have again emerged as key issues.
In the recently closed session of the Diet, legislation to introduce selective separate surnames was deliberated in the House of Representatives for the first time in 28 years. However, parties that had advocated for the change were unable to unite, resulting in a decision to carry the discussion into the next session.
Under the current system that requires married couples to share a surname, nearly all of those who suffer disadvantages from a name change are women. Premarriage career achievements can go unrecognized by society. Some women also report a sense of lost identity.
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and the Democratic Party for the People, both of whom submitted their respective bills, have again pledged to introduce the system in their campaign promises. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), where members are split on the issue, has yet to present a clear direction.
The LDP's conservative bloc and the Sanseito party oppose the reform. Critics claim that allowing separate surnames would leave children with a different last name from one parent, undermining family unity and negatively affecting child development.
However, these concerns have not surfaced in countries where separate surnames are allowed. In Japan as well, there are a number of families -- such as those in common-law marriages -- where members do not share the same surname.
Safeguarding the rights of same-sex couples is also an urgent issue. In lawsuits filed by affected individuals, all five high courts that have rendered judgments so far have found the current system, which fails to recognize same-sex marriage, to be unconstitutional.
Even though sexual orientation cannot be changed, unequal treatment persists. Such discrimination is unreasonable, and it harms people's dignity while causing everyday difficulties.
Some continue to deny same-sex marriage, citing the traditional view that marriage is for "a man and a woman to live together and bear and raise children." However, the ability or intention to have children is not a legal requirement for marriage in Japan.
The CDP, Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party), the Japanese Communist Party and others have pledged to make same-sex marriage legal, but the LDP's manifesto does not address the issue.
The introduction of selective married couple surnames and same-sex marriage would grant the wishes of those who desire them without disadvantaging anyone else.
The Constitution stipulates that the right of the people to pursue happiness must be fully respected in national policy. Voters should scrutinize how candidates and political parties intend to put this principle into practice.
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