Ayaka Wada’s Marriage in Taiwan Highlights Japan’s Debate on Marriage Equality and Surnames

In Taiwan, separate surnames for married couples is the principle

A former member of the female idol group ANGERME, talent Ayaka Wada (31), announced her marriage on April 17 via her Instagram.

Her partner is a 33-year-old from Taiwan.

Although she states that the partner’s gender is not specified or disclosed, she revealed that she chose to marry in Taiwan because same-sex marriage and the option of separate surnames are freely available there.

This marriage once again highlights the Takaichi administration’s cautious stance toward legalizing same-sex marriage and introducing a selective separate-surname system.

Wada explained:

“I chose to marry in Taiwan, my partner’s home country, because I have long supported same-sex marriage, and because it allows the choice of separate surnames. In Taiwan, both are freely realized.”

She added:

“In my case, since it is an international marriage, I can also choose separate surnames in Japan, but I hope that not only myself but everyone who wishes for it can live their lives as their true selves. I hope that selective separate surnames and same-sex marriage will be realized in Japan as soon as possible.”

According to a legal expert, in Taiwan, the Judicial Yuan—the highest judicial body—ruled in 2017 that provisions of the current Civil Code that do not recognize same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. Following this, a special law guaranteeing marriage rights for same-sex couples aged 18 and over was enacted and came into effect in May 2019. In addition, Taiwan’s Civil Code generally follows the principle that married couples retain separate surnames. If they wish to share the same surname, it is also permitted for a spouse to register under the other spouse’s surname in the family registry.

Regarding same-sex marriage in Japan, in six lawsuits filed by same-sex couples claiming that the Civil Code and Family Register Act’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court accepted the plaintiffs’ appeals on March 25 and decided to issue a unified judgment as early as fiscal year 2026, according to a March 26 report by the Asahi Shimbun.

Of the six cases, five high court rulings found the current system unconstitutional, while one ruled it constitutional. Attention is focused on the Supreme Court’s decision, and if it is ruled unconstitutional, the government would be expected to move quickly toward legislation.

Some people are absolutely against it

On the other hand, regarding selective separate surnames:

“The Takachi administration is negative about institutionalizing optional separate surnames and is considering legal reforms that would allow a person’s former surname to be listed alone on official documents. However, separate surnames are still not permitted in the family registry system. Some couples choose de facto marriage in order to keep separate surnames, but because it is not a legal marriage, various disadvantages arise, such as not being eligible for tax deductions on medical expenses. Behind the administration’s negative stance on optional separate surnames is thought to be a highly conservative view that treats a patriarchal system—where the male head of the family (father, grandfather, etc.) holds central authority—as a guiding principle. This is also likely why they are reluctant about a female emperor,” said the legal source quoted earlier.

The current administration therefore appears to be resistant.

Incidentally, former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (69), when appearing on TBS Radio’s “Session” on November 13 last year, responded to a listener’s question about the biggest obstacle within the Liberal Democratic Party to realizing optional separate surnames, saying:

“Because there are people who say absolutely no. Some argue that whether optional or not, allowing separate surnames will destroy families. Is that really true? But if it is insisted that it is absolutely true, then the discussion cannot move forward.”

He also said regarding same-sex marriage:

“I think the government should make efforts to realize individual rights, but again there are people who say absolutely not. There are certainly some people like that.”

It is said that these two issues have effectively regressed significantly following the rise of the Takachi administration. In any case, the lack of support for same-sex marriage legalization and the introduction of optional separate surnames is, in the global context, difficult to justify and may be seen as outdated. The administration is expected to reconsider and move toward implementation in Japan as soon as possible.