Gender and Family Values Among Japanese Migrants in Australia: Marital Surnaming

Abstract

ABSTRACT Separate marital surnaming (fūfubessei) has been a controversial issue in Japan for many years. Although the Civil Code and the Koseki Law allow the choice of surname for a married couple to be either the husband’s or the wife’s surname, this same legislation prevents a married couple from holding separate surnames. Despite calls for change to allow freedom of choice for couples strengthening in recent years, no progress in this direction has been forthcoming. This study focusses on migrant Japanese married couples in Australia to investigate if their attitudes and behaviour relating to marital surnaming are impacted by living in country where more liberal legislation allows for diverse arrangements for couples. The results indicate that those who have acculturated to life in Australia tend to be more favourably attuned to diverse arrangements than Japanese in Japan. However, those migrant couples less acculturated to Australian life tend to hold on to traditional cultural beliefs. The research also highlights the significant role of filial piety in the choices and attitudes of migrant Japanese couples in Australia.