Japan’s surname rule sparks unusual matchmaking event

By the Editorial Team · Friday, March 13, 2026

Japan's unique civil code mandates that married couples must adopt a single surname, a century-old rule that is increasingly sparking public debate and novel initiatives like a recent same-surname matchmaking event. This requirement faces strong resistance to change from conservative politicians despite significant professional and personal challenges for women, with proposed alternative solutions deemed inadequate by critics.

Japan remains the sole country globally that mandates married couples to adopt a single surname, a civil code provision dating back to the late 1800s. This requirement has increasingly sparked debate and prompted an unusual matchmaking event designed to highlight its societal impact.

The event, initiated by creative planner Yuka Maruyama and her team at Asuniwa, aimed to connect individuals who already share the same surname, presenting a lighthearted approach to a contentious issue. Maruyama stated the project sought to increase the visibility and understanding of the problem, noting that many individuals hesitate to marry due to the surname change requirement.

The surname rule has drawn criticism for its professional ramifications, particularly for women. A business lobby, Keidanren, has compiled accounts from women reporting negative career consequences. These include academics whose published work under their birth names struggles to gain recognition after marriage, and managerial-level women encountering difficulties when contracts signed with their "business name" are rejected. An internal Keidanren survey revealed that 82% of female executives support allowing married couples to use separate surnames.

However, efforts to amend the law have consistently faced resistance, primarily from conservative members within the Liberal Democratic Party. These lawmakers argue that altering the civil code would "undermine" the traditional family unit and could lead to confusion for children regarding their names. One interviewee, Hana, expressed understanding of workplace inconvenience but also voiced concerns about potential problems for children if parents used different surnames.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has shown little inclination to change the existing law. Instead, she supports a bill that would expand legal recognition of birth names in official documents. Critics, however, contend that this compromise would do little to resolve the fundamental confusion for women who navigate between two names depending on the circumstances. Takaichi herself used her husband's surname, Yamamoto, during her first marriage. Upon their remarriage in 2021, he officially adopted her surname, Takaichi.

Attendees at the matchmaking event expressed varied views. Taisho Suzuki, a 33-year-old company employee, noted he had not previously considered marrying another Suzuki but now saw it as a "safe option." While event organizers do not track post-event outcomes for privacy reasons, initial participant reactions suggest the novel approach garnered interest.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.