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A new poll shows that 73 percent of Japanese support amending current laws and allowing married couples to choose different surnames from one another, far exceeding the 21 percent opposed.

Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) asked the government in June to realize a dual-surname system as soon as possible. In response to the request, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party resumed discussions on this issue for the first time in three years.

The Asahi Shimbun conducted a nationwide telephone survey about the issue on July 20 and 21 and garnered 1,035 valid responses.

The poll found that 64 percent of LDP supporters favor allowing a dual-surname system while 30 percent oppose it.

Although the ratio among LDP supporters in favor is lower than that of the overall nation, it is still more than twice the number of those in opposition.

Within the LDP, some lawmakers are said to remain strongly against allowing separate surnames due to “traditional family values.” However, the latest survey shows that the majority of LDP supporters do not share that view.

By gender, women are more strongly in favor of the dual-surname system, with 79 percent of women supporting it, while 66 percent of men do.

By age, younger people showed overwhelming support for allowing separate surnames, with 87 percent of respondents in their 30s in favor.

On the other hand, among respondents aged 70 or older, 60 percent support the change and 31 percent are opposed, noticeably higher opposition compared to the younger group.

When the same survey question was asked in April 2021, 67 percent of the total respondents favored allowing married couples to choose separate surnames, while 26 percent were opposed. The latest survey showed that support for separate name options has increased overall since then.

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