Overview

• New regulations effective May 26, 2025, require parents to submit intended pronunciations alongside kanji under revisions to the Family Registry Act.
• Only officially recognized readings are allowed, and local offices may reject names deemed too obscure or detrimental to a child’s welfare.
• The government says standardizing kanji pronunciations will streamline digital registration for schools, hospitals and other public services.
• Critics warn the measures restrict parental creativity and linguistic evolution, while supporters say they protect children from ridicule and practical difficulties.
• The debate over kirakira names dates to the late 1980s, and the change aligns Japan with countries such as Denmark that impose strict naming guidelines.