Japan court ruling: The women fighting to keep their surnames

Japan's Supreme Court is due to rule on two 19th century family laws which critics say are sexist and out-of-date.

One bans women from marrying for six months after divorce, the other forces married couples to have the same surname.

The laws are also linked to a rule that children born within that six months are considered to be the former husband's.

The case was brought by three individual women and one couple in a civil partnership, who argue that the law is unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Two lower courts have already ruled against them and public opinion on the questions is split.

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