Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Japan surname row: What do other countries do?
In general, surname is the name that a person has in common with other
family members. In many English speaking cultures, the surname follows the
person’s given or first name, thus it is called the last name or family name as
well. On the contrary in China, Vietnam and Japan, the surname is placed before
a person’s given name. In most Spanish or Portuguese-speaking countries, two or
more surnames may be used. Surname is far from universal.
Then who decides the surname? Do all members of a family have to have
the same surname? While it is natural to have different surnames in family
members in some cultures, it is normal to have just one family name for the
entire family.
In Japan, a husband and his wife are required to have the same family
name, so that their children will have the same family name. There, marriage is
registered to form a new family unit apart from the couple’s former families. One
problem is that either of the couple has to change the surname he or she has been
using since they were born. Some women think it’s disadvantageous to change their
identity because it is overwhelmingly common to use the husband’s family name after
marriage in Japan. Some women keep using their maiden names to keep their personal
and professional identities. In case of a divorce, she most likely resumes
using their median names. Is this a legal or social issue?
Enjoy reading and thinking what it’s like to change the surname.
If you’re interested in the legal side of this issue, please check the
below.
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