Communist Party’s Tamura Criticizes Expansion of Maiden Name Use: “The Takaichi Administration Is the Worst” – “An Attempt to Sabotage Selective Separate Surnames for Couples”

On the 4th, Communist Party Chair Tomoko Tamura, at a press conference, criticized the government's move to consider submitting a bill to the ordinary Diet session next year that would legalize the use of pre-marriage maiden names (old surnames) while maintaining the principle of "same household, same surname" requiring couples to share a surname. She described it as "an effort to crush selective separate surnames for couples." Regarding the stance of the Sanae Takaichi administration, she said it was "the worst."

Tamura: "Momentum Is Building"
The Constitutional Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People have each submitted their own bills toward introducing a selective separate surnames system, while Nippon Ishin no Kai has submitted a bill to legally position the use of old surnames as aliases.

Tamura stated her view: "This year, for the first time in 28 years, bills on selective separate surnames were deliberated in the ordinary Diet session. From the perspective of human rights, as well as various disadvantages, irrationalities, and economic obstacles, it became clear during the Diet deliberations that there is a demand to advance this system.

And I believe the momentum is also rising in public opinion."

She also raised concerns about the fact that the legalization of old surname use would be introduced as a government-sponsored bill ("kakuhō," or cabinet-submitted legislation) rather than a member-sponsored bill.

"To unilaterally push a bill saying 'Alias use is fine, right?' is extremely terrible, including the approach. It is precisely an attempt to sabotage (selective separate surnames)," she criticized.

Referring to the 1996 opinion from the Legislative Council, an advisory body to the Minister of Justice, which recommended incorporating selective separate surnames, she strongly opposed the idea: "If a cabinet bill is to be submitted, it should be this one.

To suddenly introduce something completely different would mean burying the opinion in darkness and overwriting it. That is truly unforgivable.

" She argued, "The LDP has obstructed selective separate surnames, but this is the first time they have suddenly brought out something different from the opinion—alias use—to sabotage it.

This shows just how atrocious the Takaichi administration is on human rights issues."

LDP's Kobayashi: "No Consensus Yet on Separate Surnames"
However, in various media opinion polls on selective separate surnames, when asked with three options—"in favor," "opposed," or "expansion of alias use"—the expansion of alias use often receives the most support.

At a press conference on the 4th, LDP Policy Research Council Chair Takayuki Kobayashi stated regarding selective separate surnames: "I believe social consensus has not yet been achieved.

" He emphasized, "First, as the LDP, we will provide an answer on the legalization of old surname alias use."

In response, Tamura countered: "It's 'selective.' The system guarantees that those who want the same surname can have it. I can hardly believe this statement comes from someone who understands that.

It's a distorted remark." She added, "If it were saying 'Everyone, let's use separate surnames,' then consensus might be an issue, but it's simply saying that those who want the same surname can do so, and those who want separate surnames can do as they please—so it doesn't explain anything."

She further noted, "In opinion polls among young people, the overwhelming view is that separate surnames for couples would be fine. What are they even talking about?"