Overview

• From May 2025, the amended family register act requires parents to submit the phonetic reading of each kanji when registering a child’s name.
• Local officials will review submitted pronunciations to ensure they match officially recognized kanji readings and reject extreme or unconventional variants.
• The government says the rules aim to streamline digitized administrative workflows and prevent the logistical challenges posed by nonstandard name pronunciations.
• The change follows decades of debate over “kirakira” names prompted by cases like Pikachu, Ōjisama (Prince) and Akuma (Devil) that caused personal embarrassment and bureaucratic hurdles.
• Parents proposing atypical readings may need to justify their choice in writing or choose an approved alternative, with only the most egregious examples expected to be blocked.