Sun Nov 03 23:45:28 UTC 2024: ## UN Urges Japan to Allow Couples Choice of Surname for Fourth Time
**Geneva, Switzerland** – A United Nations committee has once again called upon Japan to allow married couples to choose their surname, marking the fourth time they have issued this recommendation. This ongoing call highlights the committee’s concern over the current law requiring wives to adopt their husbands’ surnames upon marriage.
The committee, which monitors compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), believes that the current practice violates the convention’s principles of equality and non-discrimination. They argue that forcing women to change their surnames upon marriage undermines their right to a personal identity and can lead to social and economic disadvantages.
This latest urging comes amidst growing calls for reform within Japan itself. Many individuals and organizations have been advocating for the right of couples to choose their surname, citing it as a matter of personal autonomy and gender equality.
However, the Japanese government has consistently resisted these calls, arguing that the current law reflects cultural tradition and societal norms.
The UN committee’s persistent calls for change are putting further pressure on Japan to reconsider its stance on this contentious issue. Whether the government will eventually concede to their demands remains to be seen, but the growing international pressure suggests that the debate over surname choice in Japan is far from over.
First Piper 