Posted inQuestion about Japan
Do you get your husbands last name in Japan?
The tradition of changing one's last name after marriage is still prevalent in Japan, dating back to the Meiji period when Western customs were adopted. Last names are considered an important part of Japanese identity and reflect a person's family history and social status. While attitudes towards this practice are evolving, it remains an important part of contemporary Japanese society. The legal process of changing last names involves submitting a notification of intent to the government office within one month of marriage. Hyphenating last names is becoming increasingly popular among younger couples who want to maintain both their family histories while starting a new family together.