News in Easy English: Sapporo couple fight Japan's law on family names

In Sapporo, a couple is challenging Japan's law requiring a change of surname upon marriage. Kiyotaka Nishi, 34, and Mana Sato, 39, are taking legal action against the state, arguing that certain sections of the Civil Code and Family Register Act violate Article 13 of the Constitution, which guarantees individual respect. The couple's lawsuit, filed in March 2024, comes shortly after 920 written statements from individuals with similar concerns were submitted to the court.

Sato and Nishi, both medical professionals, met in 2015 and married in November 2019. Sato expressed concerns about losing her identity if she adopted Nishi's surname. Despite their wishes, Sato changed her surname, leading to feelings of losing herself. Consequently, she was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder and had to resign from her job in April 2020. The couple later divorced in April 2021, with Sato reverting to her original surname and the two becoming a de facto married couple.

A survey conducted by Asako Miura, a social psychology professor at Osaka University's graduate school, revealed that 78% of married individuals did not discuss surname changes before marriage. Among the 668 cases where wives changed their surnames, 80% did not have pre-marital discussions on the matter. Sato emphasized that the issue highlights the societal expectation that women should change their surnames.

The legal team presented the survey results to the Sapporo District Court, as well as online feedback collected from February 2025. The team received 920 statements from individuals aged 16 to 90. Nishi expressed the importance of pursuing legal action, stating that it holds meaning. The lawsuit may conclude as early as this year.