Japan's 128-Year-Old Law Sparks Surname Matchups
31.9% of women cite surname change as a reason not to marry, prompting events for singles with the same last name, like Suzuki, Japan's second most common surname
In Japan, where married couples are required by law to share a surname, matchmakers are hosting events to pair singles with the same last name. This move is aimed at avoiding the hassle of changing one's surname, a process that can be costly and time-consuming, requiring adjustments to official documents like passports and driver's licenses.
The law, which has been in place for 128 years, has discouraged some people, especially women, from marrying. A 2021 government survey found that 31.9% of women and 8.6% of men cited changing their last name as a reason for not wanting to marry.
Asuniwa, a Japanese NGO, has partnered with IBJ to host matchmaking events for people with the same surname. The events included four in-person events in Tokyo and one online event in June for people with the last name Suzuki, the second most common surname in Japan after Sato.
## Why it matters The declining birth rate in Japan has made it essential to address the issues that discourage people from marrying. The law requiring married couples to share a surname has been a significant factor in this decline. By hosting matchmaking events for people with the same surname, Asuniwa and IBJ are trying to provide a solution to this problem.
The events are not only aimed at promoting marriage but also at drawing attention to the family name law, known as Article 750. Each couple in Japan can choose which last name to adopt, but by tradition, it is often the woman who gives up her last name after marriage. The law has been in place for 128 years, and it is time to reconsider its implications on the country's birth rate and marriage rates.
## What happens next As Japan continues to grapple with its declining birth rate, it is likely that more organizations will come up with innovative solutions to address the issues that discourage people from marrying. The matchmaking events for people with the same surname are a step in the right direction, and it will be interesting to see how effective they are in promoting marriage and addressing the country's demographic challenges.
