Japan's Business Lobby Pushes for Separate Surnames for Married Couples

Japan's powerful business lobby, Keidanren, has called on the government to allow married couples to have separate surnames. This proposal marks a significant shift for the organization, which traditionally aligns with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Keidanren argues that the current law, which effectively forces married women to adopt their husband's surname for official purposes, presents a business risk. As women become more active in the workforce and take on leadership roles, the name issue is no longer just a personal matter, but also a potential barrier to their professional success.

"With women becoming more active and the number of female directors increasing, this name issue is not just a problem for individuals — it’s becoming a business risk,” said Masakazu Tokura, head of Keidanren. He emphasized the urgency of initiating a debate on this topic.

This proposal could potentially pave the way for legal changes that would grant married couples the freedom to choose their surnames independently.