Japan has taken steps to regulate the way names are spelled and pronounced, responding to a growing trend of unique names known as "kira kira," which translates to "glittery." These unconventional names have become more popular since the 1980s, often inspired by pop culture, including brands and beloved characters from anime and video games.
The issue arises when parents choose names that sound different from their kanji spellings. For example, a name written as "今鹿" might look like it should be pronounced “imashika,” but the parents might intend for it to be pronounced “Naushika,” after a character from a famous animated film. This mismatch can lead to confusion, especially in schools and hospitals, where teachers and staff struggle to pronounce students’ names correctly.
The new regulations, announced last week, are part of an amendment to Japan’s family registry law. The law, which took effect on May 26, requires families to include furigana readings—phonetic guides in hiragana or katakana—when registering names. This change aims to help authorities verify that the pronunciation matches the kanji spelling. Notifications will be sent to households, allowing families to confirm or correct the phonetic readings of their names.
While the government is not outright banning kira kira names, the new rules discourage unusual pronunciations that do not relate to the kanji. Parents may need to explain their choices for their children’s names during the registration process, and some might even be referred to legal bureaus if their names are deemed problematic.
Experts believe this move may reduce the use of non-standard pronunciations. However, many parents still seek to express individuality and may find alternative ways to create unique names, perhaps by using rare kanji or focusing on katakana. The desire for distinctiveness in naming is likely to continue, even with these new regulations in place.