Overview

• The revised Family Register Act mandates phonetic guides for all kanji names and empowers officials to reject names with non-standard readings.
• Starting May 26, every household has been sent mail to confirm the pronunciations in their family registry with a one-year amendment period.
• Parents of newborns must justify any unconventional name readings or choose from traditional alternatives under local authorities’ oversight.
• Previously allowed kirakira names such as Pikachu, Naiki (Nike) and Prince are now flagged for non-standard pronunciations even though about 3,000 characters remain available.
• Officials say the measures will reduce confusion in schools, hospitals and digital systems and reflect a broader cultural shift toward individualism balanced with social cohesion.