Japan’s Takaichi Eager to Legislate Maiden Name Use

Tokyo, Dec. 9 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday expressed eagerness to advance legislation to give legal validity to the use of maiden names. Speaking before the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, Takaichi said she will “make necessary considerations in close coordination with the ruling coalition” of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai. Responding to a question from LDP lawmaker Masahiko Shibayama, Takaichi argued that giving validity to the use of maiden names by those who have changed their surnames due to marriage “will reduce the number of citizens who experience inconvenience in social life.” She added that codifying maiden name use will enhance such effects. Takaichi said there have been no changes to the government’s policy of “reducing concerns and problems while increasing understanding and cooperation” in diplomatic ties with China, which soured after her parliamentary remarks on a possible Taiwan contingency. “We will monitor the situation closely and respond appropriately,” she said. At the Budget Committee meeting, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi commented on the recent incident in which Chinese military aircraft directed radar at Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jets. The radar irradiations were “dangerous and unprofessional acts that the SDF usually does not engage in,” he said. “We’ll deal with the situation calmly and resolutely and take all possible measures for surveillance activities.” Starting Tuesday, cabinet ministers required to attend the committee’s basic question session were limited to the prime minister, finance minister and ministers requested by lawmakers asking questions. The change, part of parliamentary reforms, ended the practice of requiring all cabinet ministers to attend basic questions. The committee decided at a board meeting the same day to hold intensive deliberations and closing questions for the fiscal 2025 draft supplementary budget Thursday. The LDP proposed to hold a vote on the budget that day, while opposition parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan said they would consider it. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]