Japanese women in court fight to keep their surnames after marriage

Before you read: some questions to help you think about the topic and the words you might need.

How important is your family name to you?

How would you feel if you had to change your name to your husband or wife’s name?

Five women are suing the government of Japan over a law requiring wives to have the same family name as the husband. 

The women say the law breaks the law of Japan and is wrong because it breaks married couples’ rights. They are demanding repayment for the hardship caused.

“By losing your original family name ... you’re being made light of, you’re not respected ... It’s as if part of who you are as a person vanishes,” said Kaori Oguni, a translator and one of the five women involved in suing the government.

A decision by the supreme court, due on 16 December, coincides with prime minister Shinzo Abe’s actions to draw more women into a workforce that is getting smaller. But anyway many in his government are disagreeing with any legal change.

An 1896 law says wives must adopt the same name to legally register their marriage. The law does not say which one, but actually 96% of women take their husband’s name. This shows how Japan is a male society first.

People who don’t want change say letting couples choose whether they share the same family name or not could damage family ties and damage society.

Names are the best way to keep families strong and together, Masaomi Takanori, a university scholar, told NHK public television.

“Allowing different family names risks destroying social stability, the maintenance of public order and the basis for a good society.”

Others say it is time for a change. “The world is more for individuals now,” said Shunsuke , a social commentator on gender and family roles.

Separate family names is a natural change.

Many working women have to experience the hassle of having two names: their original first name for professional use and their legal, married name, required on official documents.

“If changing family names is so easy, why don’t more men do it?” said Oguni. “The system is one that says, basically, if you’re not willing to change, you shouldn’t be getting married.”

Some couples opt not to register their marriage so they can keep separate names. This is a choice taken by opposition Social Democratic party lawmaker Mizuho Fukushima and her partner.

Doing so, however, makes legal problems including difficulties over parental and inheritance rights. Oguni took her husband’s name legally but uses her original name professionally.

Most people in Japan can’t agree. A poll by the liberal Asahi Shimbun newspaper last month found 52% want to be able to choose and 34% against change. Support for the choice of separate names is much higher among younger people.

Kyoko Tsukamoto, another plaintiff who uses her original name, has been with her husband since 1960 and married him when their first child was born so the child would be legitimate.

They then divorced, and remarried to have another child, but her husband refused a second divorce.

“I was born Tsukamoto, and I want to die Tsukamoto,” the 80-year-old said.

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=8, B=1, C=4, D=2, E=7, F=3, G=7, H=5

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. When you make jokes about something someone says that they are serious about you are making light of their words which is not kind.

2. A lot of people’s money vanished when the bank failed.

3. It was a coincidence that we met at the same place at the same time.

4. The company is adopting new ideas to make their business more efficient.

5. Waiting at airports can be a hassle, but being on vacation is fun.

6. Many young Korean couples are opting not to have a baby because of the economic situation.

7. The plaintiff in this court case is Mr Lee and the defendant is Mr Park.

8. Fake or copy products are not legitimate.

    

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. Do you agree that Japanese women are being made light of? Remember, in western countries women traditionally changed their name to their husband’s name.

2. What do you think Kaori Oguni means when she says that part of you vanishes when you lose your name? Would you feel the same?

3. Do you think that the Prime Minister of Japan wanted his decision to coincide?  Explain your answer.

4. How would you feel if women in Korea had to adopt the husband’s name? Why do Korean women keep their own name?

5. How much of a hassle would it be for you to have a new name?

6. If you had a choice to opt for a new name when you got married what would you choose?

7. If you were a lawyer, would you prefer to help plaintiffs or defendants? Why?

8. Some people are angry that the subway ticket price is increasing. (it is much cheaper than other countries). So do you think their feeling of anger is legitimate?