Parents are outraged: the authorities have banned naming children Pikachu and The Devil (2 photos)

Japan has restricted the freedom to give children unusual names. Now, parents' creativity will be strictly regulated.





New rules have come into force in Japan that restrict parents' freedom to name their children. Now, when registering a name in official documents, it is necessary to use only approved readings of kanji characters. This was done in order to put an end to the so-called "kirakira-ime" (brilliant or extravagant names) that have become popular in recent decades.

The Japanese government has emphasized that the changes are aimed at simplifying the digitalization of administrative processes and reducing confusion in schools, hospitals and other institutions. Authorities have long been concerned about the difficulty and ambiguity of reading non-standard names, especially when parents try to be overly creative.

Controversial names include Pikachu (after the Pokémon), Kitty (after the Hello Kitty character), Akuma (which translates as "devil"), as well as nicknames like Ojisama ("prince") and even brands like Nike. Some parents have explained their choice as a desire for individuality in a society dominated by conformity and social pressure.



The law does not prohibit the use of kanji characters themselves, but requires the standard phonetic reading to be indicated. In case of deviation from the norm, parents will have to explain their choice in writing and, possibly, provide an alternative version of the name.

According to the authorities, the measure is long overdue, since the debate about "kirakira-ima" has been going on since the 1990s.