Japan Press Weekly

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2019 June 5 - 11 TOP3 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Citizens and suprapartisan lawmakers team up to achieve dual-surname system

Citizens, lawyers, and plaintiffs calling for the implementation of a dual-surname system held a rally in the House of Councilors members' office building on June 6 to attract more Dietmembers to become supporters of the revision of the Civil Code so as to realize a selective separate surname system.

Supra-party parliamentarians, including a female legislator from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, took part in this event and affirmed the importance of building a gender-equal society.

From the Japanese Communist Party, along with JCP Chair Shii Kazuo, House of Councilors members Kira Yoshiko and Nihi Sohei, and House of Representatives members Kasai Akira, Hatano Kimie, Fujino Yasufumi, and Miyamoto Toru participated in the rally.

Shii in the rally said that four opposition parties and one parliamentary group in late May agreed with the Civil Alliance upon common policies, including the implementation of a selective dual-surname system, for the July Upper House election and confirmed a commitment to have the Diet make the political decision to allow married couples to have different surnames.

Shii also said that the JCP in its election platform promises to work hard to establish a society which attaches importance to gender equality and individual dignity and recognizes same-sex marriage.

He said, "These will certainly be major issues in the coming election campaign. So, our party will do our best in cooperation with our allies."

Past related article:
> Opposition parties affirm common pledges for Upper House election [May 30, 2019]