Five people are set to file a suit with the Tokyo District Court claiming that a Civil Code article forcing married couples to choose a single surname contravenes the Constitution, lawyers representing the prospective plaintiffs said Thursday.
It will be the first lawsuit to contest the constitutionality of Article 750 of the Civil Code, according to the lawyers.
The lawsuit is expected to reignite a long-standing debate on the possible introduction of a system that would allow men and women to retain their respective surnames after marriage.