The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) has submitted a bill to revise the Civil Code. The proposal introduces a selective surname system that would allow married couples to keep different surnames.
CDP lawmakers took action on April 30 by submitting the bill to the House of Representatives. Their move follows long-standing debates on surname rights and gender equality in marriage. According to the CDP, couples would decide their children’s surname at the time of marriage.
Other opposition parties are also joining the push. The Democratic Party for the People (DPFP) and Nippon Ishin plan to introduce their own bills. However, key differences in their proposals may slow consensus.
DPFP policy chief Makoto Hamaguchi confirmed plans to draft a bill after the Golden Week holidays. He acknowledged that opinions within the party vary. Still, he emphasized that full support for the selective surname system remains a goal.
Nippon Ishin, meanwhile, may focus more on legalizing the use of maiden names in daily life. Secretary-General Ryohei Iwatani said his party would act soon. He suggested their bill would address practical name use rather than changing family registration laws.
The debate gained new urgency after recent Supreme Court decisions. CDP lawmaker Kiyomi Tsujimoto called the current law outdated. She argued that Japanese citizens deserve the freedom to choose their surname after marriage.
This legislative session could mark a turning point. If parties align, the selective surname system could become law for the first time in Japan’s history.
