Overview
- Officials are finalizing the sixth Basic Plan for Gender Equality with language to examine a system that would give legal effect to using maiden or previous names.
- The draft frames the move as easing daily inconveniences for people who changed surnames at marriage by enabling use of maiden names across social life.
- The Liberal Democratic Party–Japan Innovation Party agreement commits to introducing a legalization bill in the 2026 ordinary Diet.
- Municipal practice remains inconsistent, as some female mayors use maiden names on city documents after legal advice found no issue with legal effect, while others switch between names.
- A recent national event issued a badge in a legal name, and scholars urge clear nationwide guidelines so procedures can be completed using only maiden names; more than 90% who change surnames after marriage are women.