Nike, Pikachu: names ‘Kirakira’ of children generate heated debate in Japan

Measure seeks to facilitate the work of schools, hospitals and offices. These organs face difficulties in reading and pronouncing names with Kanji (based on Chinese characters) used to be over the standard. Because they have been integrated into the Japanese language, the characters may have multiple pronunciations, depending on the context.

Parents should now justify unconventional names. If the chosen pronunciation does not hit the common use of ideograms, notaries may reject the registration or require a written explanation.

Objective is also digitizing administrative processes. The Japanese government says that simpler and more standard names help in the modernization of public services.

Not everyone liked it. On social networks, the debate is heated about individuality and the choice of parents. Some say “the children are from their parents, not from Japan.” And there are those who defend with a more curious argument: “Please stop restricting the names Kirakira. Knowing the names of children reveals the intelligence of parents.”

Names ‘brilliant’ vary between Pikachu and Nike

Pokémon became a child’s name. The name Pikachu, of the famous character worldwide, has appeared in babies records in Japan, according to CNN.