Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: My questions are in regard to today’s Supreme Court judgments. Firstly, the Supreme Court ruled as constitutional the Civil Code provision that prohibits married couples from using separate surnames. Can you please share your comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, the Civil Code provision that sets forth the system on married couples having separate surnames was ruled as constitutional. I view that basically the Supreme Court upheld the allegation of the Government.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Supreme Court judgment determined as constitutional the Civil Code provision that does not recognize the use of separate surnames. In today’s judgment, the Supreme Court noted that the Diet should discuss and determine how the system should operate. It can be said that the judgment is encouraging discussions at the legislative body. How do you intend to respond to this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, the Supreme Court came out with its judgment, and so it is in a sense logical that we take responses in accordance with the judgment.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a related question. In connection with the system of allowing married couples to use separate surnames if they so desire and in connection with the existing provision of the Civil Code, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is recommending or requesting the Japanese Government to abolish the discriminatory provision of the Civil Code. Some people are saying that the Abe administration, as an administration that is committed to promoting the active role of women, should listen to these opinions of the international community. Can you once again explain why the Government maintains a cautious stance?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today, the Supreme Court issued a judgment that ruled as constitutional the Civil Code provision that sets forth the system on married couples using the same surname. Against this backdrop, it is true that people have a variety of opinions regarding this system. Therefore, I believe it is important that we address this matter cautiously based on these national discussions.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the earlier topic of the Supreme Court judgments. In the other judgment, the Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional the provision that imposes a six-month ban on women remarrying after divorce. Can you please explain your view and what responses the Government will be taking?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the Supreme Court, which has the right to review the constitutionality of any law, order, regulation, or official act, determined as unconstitutional the period of the prohibition of remarriage on women. The Government takes this judgment seriously.

REPORTER: Will the Government consider revising this law?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, based on this judgment that was issued, I was briefed by the Ministry of Justice that the Civil Code would be revised swiftly. Furthermore, with regard to the administrative work related to the family register until the Civil Code is revised, I was briefed by the Ministry of Justice that reviews need to be undertaken quickly for accepting marriage registrations filed 100 days after a divorce, as was determined today.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: From Japan, the three regions of Gifu, Wakayama, and Miyazaki Prefectures were designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). While attention seems to get centered on the World and Cultural Heritage Lists of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), what importance does the Government attach to FAO’s GIAHS?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, from Japan, the following three areas were designated: the upstream and midstream areas of the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture, the Minabe-Tanabe area in Wakayama Prefecture, and the Takachihogo-Shiibayama area in Miyazaki Prefecture. The Government sincerely welcomes this designation. In particular, we believe that the designation as GIAHS is vitally meaningful, in the sense that the value of Japan’s agriculture systems that are diverse and build on local characteristics received international recognition. Based on this designation, we have high hopes that these areas will take pride and work toward building up production momentum and vitalizing local economies. We will promote to the world these systems that make Japan attractive, focusing on these areas that were newly designated as well as the five areas that were designated previously.

(Abridged)