About 30% of those in de facto marriages refuse to marry over surname change

A survey reveals that nearly 30% of individuals in Japan's de facto marriages aren't registered because changing surnames isn't desired. Surveys suggest that if a system allowing different surnames were introduced, about half might opt to register. With around 587,000 people waiting for such changes, the group highlights concerns like tax implications and medical treatment validity. The advocacy body, Asuniwa, emphasizes that de facto marriages impact individuals' life and financial stability, framing the issue as a human rights concern.