In the election to choose the next president of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Japan Federation of Bar Associations), attorney Reiko Fuchigami, former president of the Tokyo Bar Association, was selected. This is the first time that a woman has held the top position in the legal triumvirate of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges, and she expressed her desire to implement a system that allows couples to choose separate surnames.
Two candidates, Reiko Fuchigami of the Tokyo Bar Association and Satoshi Oikawa of the Chiba Prefecture Bar Association, ran for the chairmanship of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations when the term of office expired, and as a result of the voting, Ms. Fuchigami was elected as the next chairman.
Mr. Fuchigami is 69 years old from Nagasaki Prefecture. He became a lawyer in 1983 and served as president of the Tokyo Bar Association.
This is the first time that a woman has held the top position in the legal triumvirate of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges.
At a press conference held on the 9th, Ms. Fuchigami said, ``As the first female chairman, I have a very heavy responsibility, but as someone who embodies gender equality, I want to devote myself to my duties from now on. I want to realize a society that respects all people."
One policy in particular that he would like to work on is the implementation of a system that allows couples to choose separate surnames.
Fuchigami said, ``For many women to have to change their familiar surnames violates equality under the law.I strongly hope that the court will rule that this is unconstitutional, leading to a revision of the law.'' said.
Mr. Fuchigami's term of office is for two years starting from April this year.