Photo/Illutration Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki speaks during his first news conference at the ministry on Nov. 12. (Kazumichi Kubota)

Newly appointed Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki was noncommittal in addressing calls to allow married couples to choose their surnames at a Nov. 12 news conference, his first since taking office.

Suzuki replaced Hideki Makihara of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who lost in the Lower House election that took place on Oct. 27.

Despite previously voicing support for separate surnames in media surveys, Suzuki only said, “It is important to discuss it in the Diet,” when asked at the news conference.

Past justice ministers have expressed willingness to submit a bill, but this was never realized due to opposition mainly from the LDP.

However, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) announced earlier this year that it recommends implementation.

Additionally, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan now heads the Lower House’s Judicial Affairs Committee following the election. 

Many opposition parties and ruling coalition partner Komeito also back introducing the system, meaning this range of support makes it highly likely that lawmakers will submit legislation for discussion.

Suzuki himself has clarified his favorable stance on selective surnames in questionnaires from The Asahi Shimbun and other media. 

At the news conference, however, he gave a traditional government response. 

“Various developments are taking place on this matter. We’ll consider our response after taking discussions in the Diet into account,” Suzuki said.

When asked for his personal view, he chose to “refrain from answering the question,” because he was speaking as the justice minister at the news conference.

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