As predicted four months ago in this column, in September the Supreme Court ruled discriminatory and unconstitutional the Civil Code stipulation that says children born out of wedlock are entitled to only half the inheritance of legitimate offspring. The government is expected to revise the law accordingly, but some members of the Liberal Democratic Party continue to resist, saying that removing the stipulation would destroy the "Japanese family system."
One of the strongest opponents, Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Sanae Takaichi, held a press conference where she stated that while she understands how a constitutional system operates, "many LDP lawmakers are skeptical" of the Supreme Court's decision. "The Civil Code contains the principles of legal marriage," she said, "and I don't think this ruling fits those principles." Takaichi and the other LDP lawmakers who want to "strengthen traditional marriages" have formed a study group to discuss the matter.
This faction explains its position by saying that allowing illegitimate children to have the same rights as legitimate children encourages extramarital affairs, which would seem to mean that married people cheat on their spouses for the purpose of procreation. The media have never challenged this point, which flies in the face of common sense. The same goes for the issue of allowing separate names for married couples, which these politicians claim would weaken family bonds. No reporters ever point out that allowing separate names is not the same as compelling people to have separate names, which is what the opposition implies would happen if the law were changed.