The Japanese government will not introduce a bill to legalize the use of maiden names as common names during the current Diet session [1].

This decision delays a significant shift in Japan's naming conventions, where couples are currently required by law to share a single surname. The proposal aims to make it easier for individuals to use their former surnames in daily life, while maintaining the legal requirement for married couples to share a name.

Prime Minister Takashi Takaichi has advocated for this change since before taking office [1]. However, officials said the decision to postpone the bill follows a review of the current legislative calendar. A government official said the submission is being deferred because the deliberation schedule has become too cramped [1].

The administration now aims to submit the bill during the regular Diet session starting in January 2027 [2]. According to government sources, the goal is to introduce the legislation then and move toward its final passage [2].

The proposed law would allow for the more flexible use of maiden names as common names, though it would not abolish the requirement for couples to maintain a shared legal surname [3]. This approach seeks a middle ground between traditional family structures, and the practical needs of professionals who have established careers under their birth names.

The postponement reflects the challenges facing the Takaichi administration in balancing a dense agenda of competing bills. By shifting the timeline to 2027 [2], the government avoids a legislative bottleneck in the current session.

“The submission is being deferred because the deliberation schedule has become too cramped.”

This delay highlights the political tension in Japan between maintaining traditional family registries and updating laws for a modern workforce. By proposing a system that allows maiden names as 'common names' rather than fully legalizing separate surnames, the government is attempting to appease conservatives while addressing the practical grievances of women in the professional sphere.