From cute to controversial: Japan outlaws ‘Pikachu' and other unusual baby names

Indian Express

6 days ago

Japan is putting a lid on its glittery name game. As of this week, parents in the country will no longer have complete freedom to invent unusual pronunciations for their children's names targeting the so-called 'kirakira' (sparkly) naming trend.
In an effort to restore clarity and order to the naming system, the Japanese government has amended the Family Registry Act, requiring that all kanji (Chinese-origin characters used in written Japanese) used in names follow officially recognised readings. The move is designed to eliminate phonetic free-styling that has led to an explosion of quirky and sometimes baffling names many of which are proving difficult for teachers, doctors, and public servants to decipher.
Over the past few decades, Japan has seen a sharp rise in unconventional names inspired by everything from anime characters to global brands. Among the more eyebrow-raising examples Pikachu (Pokémon), Naiki (Nike), Daiya (Diamond), Pū (as in Winnie-the-Pooh), and even Akuma, which means 'Devil.'
Then there are those like Olympic legend Seiko Hashimoto, who named her children Girishia (Greece) and Torino (Turin) after the host cities of the Olympic Games during the years they were born. While Hashimoto, who personally selected the kanji, knew how they should be pronounced, others might have been completely stumped.
Under the new rules, parents must now submit not just the kanji for their child's name, but also the intended pronunciation. If the reading strays too far from conventional interpretations, officials have the right to request a written explanation and even reject the name altogether if it's deemed too confusing or inappropriate.
Officials say the change is partly motivated by the push to digital administrative systems, which has been complicated by names that don't follow any standard pronunciation rules. But beyond bureaucracy, the shift is also seen as a cultural course correction. Critics of 'kirakira' names argue that while parents may want their child to stand out, the result often invites ridicule and creates practical difficulties for the child later in life.
Still, many parents see their naming choices as a creative expression of individuality in a society that often prizes conformity. Kirakira names have become a way to push boundaries in a tightly structured culture, especially when it comes to raising children.
While the new regulations won't outlaw the use of kanji with multiple meanings outright, they will significantly narrow the range of acceptable phonetic interpretations. Authorities stressed that only the most extreme examples will be rejected.