12 people living in Tokyo and other areas have filed a lawsuit demanding compensation from the government. They argue that the provision of the Civil Code that does not allow married couples to have separate surnames violates the Constitution.
The same provision has been twice ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court's Grand Bench, but the plaintiffs say they want to change the unreasonable system in which marriage is not possible unless one spouse gives up their surname. The 12 people and their attorneys argue that when people get married and change their surnames, it becomes difficult to maintain the trust and reputation.