By 2531, all residents of Japan will have the same surname – the results of the study
In recent years, Japanese society has undergone a number of demographic and cultural changes, one of the most notable of which is the predicted future where every citizen of the country will have the same last name.
According to a study conducted by scientists from the University of Tokyo, by 2531, almost every Japanese person will have the surname “Sato”.
The origin of this unusual phenomenon lies in the legislation that requires couples to choose one surname when getting married. At the same time, according to the overwhelming majority, the choice was made in favor of the husband’s surname. And it is this legislative initiative that leads to the growing popularity of the “Sato” surname. Today, the surname “Sato” is considered the most common in Japan.
According to the researchers’ forecasts, which are based on the trends of the last decades, this surname may become common to all residents of the country by 2531. The process of this “Sato conquest” is supported by the transmission of the surname from generation to generation, which leads to a gradual increase in the number of its bearers. However, it is necessary to take into account the possible alternative scenario, under which different surnames will be allowed in Japan.
In this case, by 2531 only a very small part of the population, approximately 7.96%, will remain with the surname “Sato”. However, this is not the only challenge for Japanese society. The study also found a severe decline in the birth rate, which could lead to a significant reduction in the population by that time. In this regard, scientists call for a revision of the current legislation in order to ensure the stable development of the demographic situation in Japan in the future.