In the last two decades, many American woman have chosen to keep their maiden name. In the United States, this seems to be a woman’s natural right or prerogative. But in Japan things are not so simple,and women must struggle to retain their maiden name. While there is no specific law explicitly stating that women cannot keep their family name, Japanese civil law penalizes them for doing so. A woman who does not take her husband’s name is not entitled to inherit his property. Their children are considered illegitimate. For women who, nevertheless, persist in using their maiden name, there are additional penalties. Grants are denied, raises withheld, and promotions delayed, sometimes indefinitely.