The plaintiffs, including Yoshihisa Aono, 46, president of Tokyo-based software developer Cybozu Inc. <4776>, filed the suit with Tokyo District Court, seeking 2.2 million yen in damages.
In a high-profile verdict in 2015, the Supreme Court said the Civil Code provision stipulating that married couples use the same surname is constitutional.
The latest suit, which focuses on the constitutionality of the family register law, was filed to call for the introduction of a system allowing couples to choose whether they use the same or separate surnames.
The petition says that when Japanese and foreign nationals get married, the couples basically have dual surnames. The Japanese citizens, however, can use their spouse's family name if they make an application based on the law.
News On Japan - Nov 26
Panicked passengers on a Shinkansen bullet train were evacuated at a central Japan station on Friday night, after a plastic bag containing suspicious liquid was found onboard.
News On Japan - Nov 26
A 29-year-old man has been arrested for meeting an underage teen girl, with sexual intent, after sending her messages, promising to make her "the happiest in the world".
News On Japan - Nov 25
Inui Street, the famed autumn walk within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, opened to the public from Saturday.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Nissan Motor Corporation has announced plans to transition all its vehicles produced in the United Kingdom to electric vehicles (EVs).
News On Japan - Nov 25
A JR West Japan train conductor has been arrested for secretly filming eight women in the toilet of the express train "Haruka" while on duty.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Tofukuji Temple, home to 2,000 maple trees and renowned as one of Kyoto's premier autumn hotspots, features the Tsutenkyo Bridge, and the breathtaking 'sea of autumn leaves'.
News On Japan - Nov 25
The strongest cold snap of the season has brought a dramatic drop in temperatures to northern Japan, where snow began falling Friday morning, with up to 50 cm expected in Hokkaido and Tohoku by Saturday evening, and a chance of blizzards.
News On Japan - Nov 24
It's Shichi-Go-San, the Japanese festival season for celebrating the healthy growth of children, with Aibo the robot dog giving prayer at a shrine in Fukuoka, on Friday.