Japan: the fight of married women to keep their maiden name. On March 8, International Women's Day will be played out in court in Japan.
Six couples decided to take the state to court. They demand the repeal of an article of the Civil Code which dates back to 1898. This prevents most Japanese women from using their Maiden name after marriage. They must take their husband's name. This is a unique feature in the world. In this very patriarchal Japanese society, 96% of men who marry refuse to give up their surname. De facto, therefore, married women must take the husband's surname.