Alex
As per a recent study, everyone in Japan is projected to possess the same surname by 2531 unless there are amendments to the laws enabling married couples to opt for distinct names.
Sato remains the most favored family name in Japan, embraced by 1.5% of the populace.
Conducted by Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor at Tohoku University, the study estimates this transition to 100% in a little over 500 years if the legislation persists, mandating married couples to adopt either spouse’s last name.
Prof Yoshida emphasized that his calculation was “mechanically derived based on a hypothetical scenario,” reported by The Mainichi, a Japanese newspaper.
He added, “Should everyone adopt Sato, we might need to be addressed by our first names or even numbers. I believe that would not be an ideal living situation.”
According to the findings, the proportion of Japanese with the surname Sato rose by 1.0083 times from 2022 to 2023.
If this rate remains unchanged – with no legal adjustments – half of Japan’s population could share the same surname by 2446, eventually reaching 100% by 2531.
Prof Yoshida expressed that everyone sharing the same surname “would not only be inconvenient but also diminish individual dignity,” as per the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun.
“This would also result in the diminishing of familial and regional heritage associated with surnames,” he further stated.
The study was initiated by the Think Name Project and other organizations advocating for changes in Japan’s laws to permit couples to select different surnames.
Japan remains the sole country globally mandating identical surnames for married couples.
Under a scenario where couples could choose different names, Prof Yoshida estimated that 8% of individuals would bear the surname Sato by 2531.
This estimation was based on a 2022 survey by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, indicating that 39.3% of respondents preferred sharing a surname despite the option for separate ones.
