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Japan Today
7 days ago
- Japan Today
Government tells parents what not to name their babies
Those who were in Japan in August 1993 might recall a news item about the father of a newborn, who went to the Akishima City office and attempted to register his infant son with the given name "Akuma," written with two characters that combined mean devil or demon. Perhaps out of sympathy for the child, paper pushers at the city office were disinclined to accept the father's application. Akuma's dad maintained that such a name was perfectly legal, because the ideographs for aku and ma both appear in the Education Ministry's list of characters approved for standard use. The media had a field day reporting the story. In January 1994, the Hachioji branch of the Tokyo District Court ruled that Akishima City had not followed proper procedure, temporarily restoring the name so that it could be denied properly. By July of the same year the father finally gave up, agreeing to pick a different name, ending the controversy. But, reports Weekly Playboy (June 9) the root problem, of what constitutes an acceptable name, became more widespread. It seems that all too many parents these days have been saddling their infants with kirakira (flashy), i.e. silly or frivolous names. Which finally moved the Diet on May 26 to pass a new law setting standards for naming children. The new law specifies what types of names will not be accepted for entry into family registers. For example, names cannot be assigned a reading that's unrelated to the actual characters. So two characters typically read "Taro," a common Japanese male name, cannot be read "George" or "Michael." Likewise, readings cannot be assigned to characters in an arbitrary manner. The character "Ken" (meaning healthy or robust) cannot be assigned to be read as "Ken-sama" (Master Ken) or "Kenichiro." In addition, characters used in a name cannot be assigned with an opposite or contradictory reading -- sort of analogous to the practice of calling a tall man "Shorty" in the West. So for instance "Takashi" (meaning high) cannot be read "Hikushi" (low). And it goes without saying that the new law bans names that carry discriminatory and/or antisocial nuances, or which are otherwise clearly negative. Which almost certainly eliminates names like "Akuma" from the running. That said, Weekly Playboy points out that it's only fair to state that plenty of Japanese given names are quirky enough, even before the new law goes into effect next May. Certain names are based on historical precedents, such as "Asuka." Originally a village in Nara Prefecture it is used to name an historical era from the late 7th to early 8th century, and written with characters meaning "flying bird." Another example would be "Satsuki," the old name for the fifth lunar month and written with characters normally read gogatsu (May). Or take "Kazuko." Written with the character wa in heiwa (peace) and ko (child), between 1926 and 1957 it was Japan's most popular name given to baby girls. The reason why a character normally read wa came to be read kazu is obscured in the mists of time. Linguists have advanced several theories, but no one knows for sure. Some say it might be derived from the word for number (also kazu), or possibly a corruption of a verb with a similar sound, such as katsu (to win). Japanese language scholar Hiroyuki Sasahara, professor at Waseda University, tells the magazine the widespread use of given names using two characters dates back to the 8th century CE and follows a long-established naming practice in China. Japanese, however, adopt nonstandard variants in which a kanji used to name a child may be pronounced not according to its dictionary reading, but based on its root meaning, opening up a whole new can of worms. For instance, the character dai or okii, meaning "big," can be arbitrarily assigned such readings as Hiroshi, Takashi, Takeshi, Hajime, Masaru, Yutaka and numerous others. Before deciding on a child's name, some prospective parents consult fortune tellers. "That was basically modern-day style of fortune telling that first appeared during the Showa period (1926-1989)," Sasahara explains. Appealing to common sense, he encourages parents to read up on the Japanese language, kanji, and names, and make efforts to conceive how their child's name would be perceived by society. "Because names have historical and social implications, I think parents have a responsibility to consider how a child's name will be accepted by society," he asserts. Sasahara thinks the flashy name phenomenon has been enabled to some degree by the increased trend toward nuclear families, as such households lack an elderly relative who can offer sensible guidance and advice. That said, the article concludes, the names that Japanese choose for their progeny will play a role in determining whether or not their language will have a rich future. And that's reason enough to take the process seriously. © Japan Today
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rediscovering the quiet magic of youth – How My Neighbor Totoro reminds us of the beauty and strength in childhood wonder
Where innocence meets the magic of nature (Image courtsey: Studio Ghibli/ Netflix) The gentle film My Neighbor Totoro brings us into a world where the lines between stories told by kids and nature are blurred. Through the eyes of two sisters, the film celebrates simple joys, raw emotions, and the magic hidden in everyday moments. Its an heartfelt ode to childhood reminding us how innocence shapes our first steps, capturing the timeless wonder of being a child. Hayao Miyazaki 's beloved classic is a tender tribute to childhood wonder and imagination At its core, the film unfolds through the eyes of Satsuki and Mei, two young sisters who have just moved to a countryside home. Their days are filled with simple pleasures exploring fields, chasing fireflies, waiting at a bus stop with wide-eyed anticipation. This unhurried pace mirrors how children experience time: not rushed, but suspended, as if each moment holds eternity. What makes My Neighbor Totoro so moving is because it shows imagination as something truly special about being young. Children often create whimsical characters like Totoro, friendly spirits born from their minds to help them face life's many surprises. For these two sisters, Totoro isn't just a magical creature, he's a comforting presence that brings safety and calm during their family's uncertain moments. Having him around feels like a warm hug, as if the pure innocence of childhood is gently protected and cherished. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The film shows the genuineness and emotion of children. Both Satsuki and Mei show real feelings of worry, loneliness and hope during their encounter. You are expected to feel these strong emotions, not hide them while you are growing up. Being able to say how they feel reminds us that openness often disappears as we grow up. Finally, My Neighbor Totoro helps us experience the loving atmosphere in nature. The trees rustling in the breeze, the countryside quietness and all the green make us feel the kids' innocence. By being close to nature, we see that childhood is a period for growth, new experiences and unspoken joy. With everyone rushing, My Neighbor Totoro lets us see again how wonderful is the simplicity of childhood and the way we were when we were kids. As Miyazaki once said, 'We get strength and encouragement from watching children.' The idea that childhood contains a quiet power is something clear in every scene of the movie. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
SoraNews24
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Studio Ghibli releases new My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away bamboo fans for summer
Stay cool with the help of these iconic anime characters. With the weather beginning to heat up, people in Japan are reaching for their fans, and if you're a fan of Studio Ghibli, you'll want a fan from the studio's specialty retail chain Donguri Kyowakoku. Called Koban-shaped Bamboo Uchiwa, with 'koban' being an oval-shaped gold coin from old Japan and 'uchiwa' being a traditional flat-style fan, there are two new designs in the lineup. The first design is 'Riding on Haku', featuring characters from Spirited Away. On the front is protagonist Chihiro riding on Haku, while the back features baby Boh, in mouse form, and Yubaba's bird, in fly form, soaring through the skies in a cooling night scene. The second new design, simply titled 'Catbus, Satsuki and Mei', features characters from My Neighbour Totoro. The huge eyes and wide grin of the Catbus stand out as it perches in a tree beside Mei and Satsuki on the front of the fan, while the back depicts an adorable scene showing the many paw prints of the Catbus as it bounds off into the distance. While the two designs above are new for this summer, Donguri Kyowakoku has restocked two previously released designs, just in time for warmer days. ▼ 'Sea Railway at Dusk' features two cooling scenes from Spirited Away. On the front, No Face and Chihiro ride inside the train that glides through water, while a cool wave splashes against No Face on the back, recalling a memorable moment from the film when the character walks towards the train. The second design is 'Moonlit Night Stroll', which shows Totoro flying through the sky on a spinning top with Mei and Satsuki along for the ride. On the back is a sweet image of Mei and Satsuki running towards the comfort of their idyllic country home. All these designs conjure up beautiful moments from two of the studio's most popular films, in cooling hues to keep us comfortable in the heat of summer. It'll be hard to choose just one to go home with, but as they're priced at 770 yen (US$5.31) each, we could buy all four and still have money left over to buy a Totoro rush cushion for the season. Whichever one you choose, they can all be purchased at Donguri Kyowakoku stores and online (links below) while stocks last. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2, 3, 4) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"Mono" anime english dub premieres May 3 – Cast & where to watch
The English dub of the anime Mono, which is the adaptation of Afro's popular four-panel manga hit, will launch on May 3, 2025. The series is renowned for its serene and out-of-the-box storytelling. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The series is all about a class of high school girls who are members of an exclusive club called "cinephoto," a combination of photography and cinema. Mono began in 2017 in Manga Time Kirara Carat. It provides a cozy slice-of-life experience that celebrates creativity, friendship, and self-expression. The anime is slow-paced and has an artsy feel, injecting life into the serene scenes with character-driven episodes. English voice cast announced The new English voice dubbing boasts a cast of renowned voice actors: Abby Trott is Satsuki. Michaela Murphy as An Yolis Arroyo playing Sakurako Kana Shimanuki playing Haruno Hayden Bishop as Kako Each performer introduces a new and familiar vibe to the series that brings the characters to new viewers. Where to watch Mono Mono initially telecasted in Japan on April 12, 2025, on Tokyo MX, BS11, Tochigi TV, Gunma TV, and AT-X. It is also available online across various Japanese platforms. English viewers can view the English version of the episodes from May 3 on licensed international platforms. The anime first premiered to a select audience at Kofu City, which is where the anime takes place, on March 29 and later in Tokyo on April 5. The special screenings introduced a select few fans to the style and tone of the anime ahead of when the general population had access to it. Creative personnel and production The anime is produced by Aniplex and animated by Soigne. The anime has an original ending theme song titled "Weekend Roll" by halca. Ryota Aikei directed the series, who was an assistant director of Jujutsu Kaisen. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Takuya Miyahara handled character design, and the script was written by Yoko Yonaiyama, who is also familiar with A Sign of Affection. A heartwarming story of friendship and creativity Mono is all about the daily student life and the joy of discovering art, presenting the audience with a soft and emotional experience. With the release of the English dub, more anime enthusiasts and new viewers who enjoy peaceful and imaginative stories will be able to watch the series.
The Mainichi
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
'Friendship marriages' providing partnership outside societal norms in Japan
HAKODATE, Japan (Kyodo) -- Three years have passed since Satsuki and Minato, who are in their 30s and live in the Chugoku region of western Japan, agreed to enter into a nonsexual "friendship marriage." The matrimony of the two, who in a recent interview used pseudonyms when sharing their life-changing decision, was deliberate and different from a marriage arrangement done to obtain a visa, for example. But Satsuki and Minato are just one of a growing number of couples who see practical advantages to friendship marriages due in part to preferential treatment with social security benefits. Many of them choose to do so despite it contradicting their sexual orientation. A Tokyo-based marriage agency, which connects people wishing to enter into such arrangements, has seen over 300 friendship marriages in the past decade. The case of Satsuki and Minato provides one example of a couples' decision to choose a life partner with whom they have no romantic feelings or sexual desire. Satsuki, Minato's wife, dates women and is not attracted to men. Her mother, who has no idea of her daughter's sexual orientation, used to urge her to get married whenever they would see each other. Satsuki says "The Full-Time Wife Escapist," a TV drama series aired in 2016 on Japan's TBS, introduced her to the idea of viewing married couples as an "employer-employee," contractual relationship, opening her mind to marriage not based on sex or love. Minato, on the other hand, views women romantically but is only sexually attracted to men. He had enjoyed spending time alone, but when his father told him "it's about time we see some grandchildren," a friendship marriage became a wise option. In 2019, the pair met in an online forum dedicated to friendship marriage applicants. After confirming that they had similar core values, they moved in together and met each other's parents before registering their marriage in November 2021. Two years later, Satsuki gave birth to a child using the "syringe method" fertility treatment. "Adorable," the couple says when speaking of their child. Both Satsuki and Minato admit to not being "each other's type." Intimate contact is nonexistent, but they do things as a family unit, such as socializing with friends. Satsuki describes her partner as "a not-too-close cousin." Minato says of her with a laugh, "We are comrades-in-arms who live together." Neither of their parents know the nature of their relationship. At Colorus Friendship Marriage, an agency established in Tokyo in 2015, 316 couples had entered into such unions over 10 years through February this year. About 80 percent of male members are sexually attracted to men, while more than 90 percent of females are not sexually drawn to either men or women. Their sexuality is a personal and diverse aspect of who they are, says Colorus representative director Arisa Nakamura, 40. However, according to Nakamura, the reasons given for entering into friendship marriages are not special, but include what one might expect, such as "wanting a life partner" or "giving their parents peace of mind." "We offer an option to those who cannot fall in love or have sex with the opposite gender," Nakamura said. Hiroyuki Kubota, a professor of family sociology at Nihon University, says that although diverse values are spreading in Japan, same-sex marriage not being recognized means the socially accepted belief that "men and women should marry and have children" is still predominant. In some respects, he says, friendship marriages are a "desperate measure" with added practical rewards of social security benefits. Although love marriages may evoke images of undying romance, it is not uncommon for such couples to gradually become closer as life and child-rearing partners as time goes by. A 2024 survey of married couples by the Japan Family Planning Association revealed that over 60 percent of respondents were in sexless marriages, defined as having sex less than once a month, a trend that has been steadily increasing. Couples may move on to more practical matters once the romance has died, Kubota suggested. "If this is the case, then there should be couples who enter into marriage as 'partners in life' from the very beginning." (By Yu Seo)
