The article highlights the enduring patriarchal views regarding family structures in Japan, which have remained resistant to change despite evolving constitutional frameworks. It uses a recent entrance exam question from Ichikawa Junior High School, which invites students to compare the family-related provisions of the Meiji Civil Code with those of the contemporary Japanese constitution. Professor Shuhei Ninomiya from Ritsumeikan University, an expert in family law, provides an analysis of how these historical laws shaped societal norms and expectations regarding family, emphasizing marriage rights that were once dependent on parental consent.

Reflecting on the Meiji era, the article illustrates how the family system was solidified, making it clear that marriages required approval from the head of the family, typically the father. This historical context reveals a viewpoint that was once 'normal' and 'common sense' in Japanese society, which the article suggests still holds sway today. The exam question aimed to encourage students to critically assess these outdated norms and consider their implications for modern family dynamics.

As discussions about alternative family structures, including same-sex marriage and the option for couples to keep separate surnames, gain momentum, the article argues that an understanding of past legal frameworks is essential. It raises questions about what constitutes a family in contemporary Japan and challenges readers to acknowledge the ongoing influence of traditional views that have not been adequately addressed by recent reforms.