The Japanese government will postpone a bill that would allow married couples to use a former surname as a common name [1].
This legislative delay affects a long-standing social issue in Japan, where legal requirements for shared surnames often force one spouse to change their name. The proposed law aims to reduce the professional and personal disadvantages associated with such changes.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said the decision on May 13, 2026 [1]. He said that by legislating the use of former surnames, the government believes it can further reduce the number of people who feel inconvenience or disadvantage in their social lives due to name changes after marriage [3].
Prime Minister Takaichi had previously issued instructions regarding the bill in February 2026 [2]. The government originally intended to submit the legislation during the current regular Diet session [2].
However, the government said that the current schedule is too tight. Other legislative priorities, including a proposed law regarding flag desecration, are currently occupying the relevant cabinet committees [1]. Because of these competing priorities, the bill will now be carried over to the next Diet session after the current one concludes [1].
The bill is intended to provide a legal framework for the use of maiden names or former surnames in official capacities. This move follows years of public debate over gender equality, and the rigid nature of Japan's family registry system. While some couples currently use former names informally, the lack of a legal standard creates hurdles in banking, employment, and government administration.
“The government believes it can further reduce the number of people who feel inconvenience or disadvantage in their social lives”
The postponement reflects a tension between the Japanese government's stated goal of modernization and the practical constraints of its legislative calendar. By prioritizing a flag-desecration law over surname flexibility, the administration risks signaling that social reforms regarding gender and identity are secondary to nationalistic or symbolic legislation.
