Since Japan introduced surname : you can not pick one yourself. And that was something like 200 years ago.Japanese law doesn't require the wife to take the husband's name, the husband can take the wife's name. Correct, that is the only "progressive" part in their current law.Maybe there is a different law that forbids that option but I didn't see any mention of it. It would be opposite around: there needs to be a law that allows it, and such a law does not exist.they can pick a surname that is different from both surnames prior to marriage.No, they can't. See my first sentene.And: what would be the point of that?pick a surname that is different from both surnames prior to marriage.That is not what they want (and can't do anyway). What they want is to keep the surname:- they were born with- went to kindergarden- graduated from highschool- is on their military papers- on their university diploma- on the first work contract- on the "thank you very much for your service" letter of that employer ...- the name they want to have on their grave stoneUnfortunately this situation is one of those prime examples where the freedom to live in a democracy sucks so much as some dickheads who happened to be by accident in the parliament ignore the freedoms of their voters - because of "reason".Lets google gay marriage in Japan, shall we? Or better not, I would be equally shocked if they allowed it recently and I did not notice (shame on me), or if it is still either forbidden, or simply no option in the law.P.S. surnames where not invented for the reasons you claim. And in the few christian marriages I was involved, the topics you say did not pop up. As I was best man in two of them: I should know. No idea on the other hand: as I am not a Christian., Asia June 28th 2025 →A big mistake by Bangladesh →India gets no favours from Trump Asia’s disgraced saint Japan’s civil war over surnames →A surprise East Asian love-in, Japanese politicians failed to pass legislation last month that would have allowed married couples to keep separate surnames, despite surveys showing majority public support for the change. Japan remains the only country requiring married couples by law to share the same surname, with women taking t.