A recent online survey in Japan regarding the proposition to allow married couples to retain separate surnames has sparked controversy. The results startlingly showcased 90% disapproval, which has raised suspicions about the true nature of public sentiment and possible organized manipulation behind the voting. The feminist movement in Japan argues that the inability to keep separate surnames post-marriage infringes upon personal rights and gender equality.

In Japan, the issue of separate surnames for married couples is a deeply divisive one that reflects on traditional familial and societal roles. The current law stipulates that a married couple must share one surname, which in most cases, ends up being the husband's. This law has been criticized for curbing individual identity and promoting gender inequality.

In contrast, nations like the US and those in the EU typically allow couples to choose whether they want to share or have separate surnames post-marriage. This is normally a personal choice and does not bear legal implications, reflecting a more liberal perspective on marriage and individual autonomy.