Japan gov't eyes bill to legalize use of birth surnames by married people

In a country where married couples are required by law to share the same surname, the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes the legalization will prompt wider acceptance of birth surnames by financial institutions and other entities as more women join the workforce and continue using their former surnames.Former surnames alongside new surnames are currently allowed on official identification documents such as driver's licenses and passports. But about 30 percent of banks did not allow accounts to be opened under former surnames in 2022 over fears of money laundering, accordi…READ FULL ARTICLE