Have you ever been through the process of changing your name? Many women in Japan have, most men have not. The Japanese family law requires that couples share the same last name, and this burden falls on women 95% of the time. Shu shares with us not only the arduous process of changing his name in Japan, but also his awakening to the importance of feminist advocacy for gender-equal relations in the home. We are thrilled to have him join enjoi from 2021 as an enjoi educator and co-facilitator for the enjoi Wolfpack Initiative supporting safe space conversations on diversity and gender for men in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, share it on your favourite social media and tag Jackie and Shu.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Shu changed his name despite the challenges of the Japanese family register
• How recent the system of family names actually is in Japan
• What is toxic masculinity and why it’s limiting the men in our lives
• The risks that couples with different family names face when disaster strikes
• Why feminism and gender equality are not just “women’s issues” 
• How father’s empowerment in the home can support gender equality at work
• How embracing gender equality has helped Shu to be more “human”

About Shu:

Shu Matsuo Post is a successful businessperson in Japan, one of the most gender-rigid nations on the planet. He is the author of I Took Her Name, published in 2020 and from 2021 is an enjoi educator and co-facilitator for the enjoi Wolfpack Initiative supporting safe space conversations on diversity and gender for men in Japan. He is a feminism and zero-waste advocate, a plant-based endurance athlete, and a real estate investor. He lives in Tokyo, Japan, with his wife and their son. 

Useful links:

Shu’s Book:I Took Her Name: Lessons From My Journey Into Vulnerability, Authenticity, and Feminism

Shu’s recent blog post: 9 Surprising Benefits of Paternity Leave

Connect with Shu:

Website: https://shumatsuopost.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ITookHerName 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shumatsuopost/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shu-matsuo-post-a6910049/ 

Connect with Jackie:

Website: https://en-joi.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enjoidiversityandinnovation

https://www.facebook.com/jackiefsteelephd 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-f-steele-phd/