Latest news with #culturalShift
The Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Why Japan wants to clamp down on certain baby names
Japan has introduced new regulations on the pronunciation of kanji used in children 's names, limiting them to standard or widely accepted readings to prevent unconventional "kirakira" names. The move aims to reduce confusion in public institutions and streamline administrative processes by curbing the trend of quirky names inspired by pop culture. The new rules, enforced this week, require phonetic annotations in family registers (koseki) to ensure names are read as intended, with parents potentially needing to justify unusual readings. The decision follows concerns that unconventional names cause social and practical challenges for children, reflecting a broader societal shift toward individualism, according to a 2022 study by Yuji Ogihara. The trend of unique names increased between 1979 and 2018, replacing traditional names like Daisuke and Tomoko with more modern kanji names such as Ren and Yuzuki, indicating a cultural shift towards uniqueness and independence.
Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The Black Death didn't destroy Britain
After the devastation of the Great Plague came a wave of prosperity and innovation, not to mention the birth of the middle class
