Japan's Ruling Coalition Agrees to Discuss Dual Surname System, Nuclear Treaty Participation

The ruling coalition in Japan, consisting of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito, agreed to discuss the introduction of a dual surname system for married couples. This decision came after a lunch meeting between Prime Minister and LDP President Shigeru Ishiba and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito.

While both parties agreed to hold discussions, they did not set a specific date for the start of these talks. Prime Minister Ishiba cited the need to build consensus within the LDP before proceeding further. He requested Komeito to be patient while the LDP prepares a proposal on the matter. Komeito leader Saito suggested that discussions could begin as early as January.

During the same meeting, Komeito leader Saito urged Prime Minister Ishiba to consider Japan's participation as an observer in a meeting of the parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons scheduled for March in the United States. Prime Minister Ishiba responded that the government had completed a study of countries that have attended such meetings as observers and would inform Komeito of the findings.