APD | Over two thirds of married Japanese women support same-sex marriage

By APD writer Alice

Almost 70 percent of married women in Japan believe that same-sex marriage should be legalized in the country, according to a government survey of around 6,000 married women.

Among those in their 30s or younger, roughly 90 percent supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, according to the survey conducted last year by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

The survey has been conducted every five years since 1993 to collect data on Japanese households, including the distribution of chores. Questions on same-sex couples were added for the first time last year.

The percentage of women who said it was acceptable to have a different last name than their husbands was up 9 points from five years before to 50.5 percent, making up half of all respondents for the first time.

Married Japanese couples are required by law to use the same surname. Although the law does not say which of the partners must give up their surname on marriage, it is customary for a wife to take her husband's surname.

"Attitudes toward family are changing," said an official in charge at the institute.

The survey reflects the responses of 6,142 married women who were sent questionnaires by the institute and excludes those divorced or widowed.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)