Matchmaking Events for People with Same Surname Emerge in Japan

Tokyo, Sept. 2 (Jiji Press)–As Japan has been slow to introduce a system that allows married couples to have different surnames, matchmaking events for people with the same surname have emerged as a hack for circumventing surname changes upon marriage under the country’s rules. Since March, Asuniwa, an organization that advocates for a selective dual surname system, and major matchmaking services provider IBJ Inc. have been jointly organizing such events. The surname participants must have differs for each event. Four events were held in Tokyo by the end of May, with a total of some 50 people in their 20s to 30s taking part. In June, the first online event drew 14 participants with the surname Suzuki from across the country, according to the organizers. Responses from participants have been positive, with one saying they enjoyed talking about similar experiences from having a very common surname. However, it is difficult to organize events for people with uncommon surnames. Japan’s Civil Code requires either of a married couple to change their surname. A government survey in fiscal 2021 showed that 31.9 pct of female respondents who were not eager to marry and 8.6 pct of male such respondents did not want to change their surnames or found doing so troublesome. “Changing one’s surname is costly,” said Yuka Maruyama, an Asuniwa official who plans and manages matchmaking events, citing the hassle of changing surnames on a driver’s license and passport, as well as a sense of identity loss. “Even if we can help only some people, we hope they will get married without worrying about their surnames,” Maruyama said. Keeping in mind the goal of creating a society where people can freely choose their surnames, which would render matchmaking events for people with the same surname unnecessary, Maruyama said, “We hope our events will also provide opportunities for people to think about the need for a selective dual surname system.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]