Why did she say that, that's so cruel. Was her being a divorcee worse than having children out of wedlock? Or did she not want them to seek out their father? I understand times were different back then but I just don't understand the reasoning behind it.Then over the years , she told the kids they were all "bastard" children. It wasn't until she died , my dad found out about the "taking the woman's name" issue.
The issue contributes to the nation lagging its peers in gender equality. Japan ranked 125th out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap report in 2023, the only Group of Seven country failing to make the top 100. Yet data shows that society is broadly accepting of surname choice. A poll carried out by national broadcaster NHK in April found that 62% of respondents favored allowing the change and just 27% opposed it. Even among those age 70 or over, those in favor outnumbered those against. "A person's family name, regardless of gender, is an expression of their character," Keidanren said in the report. "For professionals, it means their career itself, the achievements, credibility, and personal connections they have built."
Japan ranked 118 out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap 2024 report, by far the lowest among Group of Seven members. Women made up just 12.9% of managers in Japanese companies in 2022, compared to 40.3% in Singapore, 41% in the U.S., and 14.6% in South Korea, according to the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training. This gender disparity has become a pressing economic concern, Yoshihisa Aono, president and CEO of software company Cybozu, told Nikkei Asia. "A diverse range of new ideas" is essential for Japanese companies to "keep pace with global innovation," he said.
Abe, whose legal surname is Okada, remarried six years ago after divorcing her first husband but still uses her former surname at work. Upon marrying her second husband, she was legally required to change her name on all official documents, including her passport, bank cards, health insurance card, and all paperwork pertaining to the two properties she owns. "It was a total nightmare. I felt like a burden on my company," Abe told Nikkei Asia. Given she is a board member, Abe's employer was forced to update her name on many corporate documents, a process she described as "exhausting" and a drain on company productivity.
You Can Pass analyzed that "the respondents may have been motivated by a desire to protect their careers and identities" by keeping their own surnames after marriage. The reasons cited by male respondents in favor of a selective surname system included, "It's important to give people the right to choose," and, "I don't really see the need to have the same surname for married couples." Opinions among female students in favor of the system included, "I'm proud of my family name, and the procedure (to switch surnames) is a hassle," and, "It's a personal freedom." In contrast, the reasons given by men who were against the selective surname system included, "Having the same surname is proof that they're a family," and, "It'd be difficult for children to decide which family name to take." Opinions among women opposed to the system included, "It will weaken the bond between husband and wife," and, "Some people will likely create loopholes, such as in taxes."
Wow, wish my family was that interesting.Both of my parents had big secrets that I didn't find out until they died. My father's mother always claimed she had 17 kids and her bible & records showed it was only 7. No clue why that became family history , LOL. At my father's funeral , his best friend sat next to me. He commented to me "I wonder if his first wife will be here". I then found out he had been married before my mother and I had a half brother living in California. Just before my mom died(I was around 65) , I learned "her parents" were an aunt and uncle , not her mom & dad or my grandparents. Turns out her parents were poor farmers and only kept the boy children. All the girls were farmed off to relatives to raise because they couldn't work the farm as good as the boys. Over the years , I learned many other family secrets that amazed me. Now days with Facebook and the internet , I have no secrets , LOL.
Sometimes it's really, really hard to be the adult in these conversations deep, heaving breathsJust as long as it doesn't turn into feminism, (which I'm very against) I'm all for it!
Like communism, feminism is a word that almost nobody has been using for at least the last generation and, believe me, I am very well read on social issues - three publishing companies send me books on contemporary social issues to copyedit and proofread.Ya, I'm not reading everything you guys said.
On topic… I think it's great that japan is pushing women's rights! (I interpreted 'Gender rights' as 'women's rights, since the OP largely concerned women) Just as long as it doesn't turn into feminism, (which I'm very against) I'm all for it!
HA! Nobody has been using? Maybe I should introduce you to the pastor of my church, or even my grandpa. (No, not you, @Grandpa Frank)Like communism, feminism is a word that almost nobody has been using for at least the last generation and, believe me, I am very well read on social issues - three publishing companies send me books on contemporary social issues to copyedit and proofread.
Like the way 'communism' is used as a dirty word by the far right (which they are by historical political standards) to smear any idea that there's something wrong with America's obscenely unequal income distribution, it's all too easy to imagine how 'feminism' is used to associate measures that ensure the safety, wellbeing and equality of women with bra burning and men hating, when the number of such women is vanishingly small.
I sincerely hope that you are able to escape from the mindset in which you are growing up as soon as possible. You're a bright lad but you've got a lot to unlearn.
That pretty much proves my point. As an American from a religious and Republican background (it's Texas you're from, isn't it?), you're getting a highly distorted view of the world.HA! Nobody has been using? Maybe I should introduce you to the pastor of my church, or even my grandpa. (No, not you, @Grandpa Frank)
Nay, I'm from the not-so-great state of California. My view is distorted because I have to listen to idiots like Gavin Newsom, and David Valadeo, LOL.That pretty much proves my point. As an American from a religious and Republican background (it's Texas you're from, isn't it?), you're getting a highly distorted view of the world.
As noted elsewhere, I did this. Her family only had girls, so her family name will die with her. (Her sister already married and took her husband's family name.) I was thinking in terms of any possible future children, though. I agree with @Majestic that it's not really all that uncommon.I'm sure it happens from time to time but how common is it that men take their wives' surnames when they marry? Isn't it mostly the other way around? I can imagine it happening with foreign permanent residents as it could perhaps make life a lot simpler but is it normal among native Japanese?
Fantastic point, @thomas. Shall I start a thread in which we can all discuss and compare US politics to Japans?Before this thread goes further OT, a friendly reminder: the topic here is dual surnames in Japan, not US politics.
I know I'm just kidding. XD. I did, however make a thread where people can post random things that are on their minds.View attachment 120275PLEASE don't !!!!!!!!!! American politics is a mine field of danger. It "may" lead to hurt feeling and anger. If you want to discuss US politics , join Facebook where it's a knock down dragged out fight everyday and as Thomas always says , try to keep on topic , preferably about Japan.
Seems like it's just a matter of time. The question then becomes, what name do the children take? That of which parent? Would that be up to the parents, or would it be codified in law one way or the other?Unseen Japan posted a new survey on the issue of dual surnames, broken down by party affiliation. Surprisingly, 63.7% of LDP party members support the change (CDP 72.6%, Japan Innovation Party 71%, Komeito 74.3%, JCP 85.9%, DPP 69%, unaffiliated 70.7%). It's only the LDP right-wing faction that keeps resisting.
During Thursday's session, a Japanese delegation said the government regards the introduction of a system allowing married couples to use separate surnames as an important issue connected to how the family is generally perceived in the country's society. The delegation also said the government believes that it is necessary to gain broad-based public understanding about the system. It added that the government has also been committed to expanding the use of former surnames so that people who change their surnames for marriage are not inconvenienced or placed at a disadvantage. In addition, a committee member inquired about Japan's lack of an independent institution designed to save victims of human rights violations.
Ishiba took a positive stance on changing the current requirement before becoming prime minister in October. As head of the Liberal Democratic Party, however, he has toned down his language, apparently taking heed of conservative members in the ruling party who worry that such a change would affect traditional family values. While acknowledging the "sadness and struggles" experienced by those, mostly women, who change their family names after marriage, Ishiba has said broader public support is necessary for the system to be revamped.