Do you have to take a Japanese name if you naturalize?

Mr. "Tomiruri"

Since this seems to be one of the most frequently asked of the frequently asked questions, I thought I'd attempt to tackle it as my first contribution to the blog.

This is a topic that inevitably comes up whenever someone mentions naturalization... Wouldn't becoming Japanese mean that you'd have to take a Japanese name? For every person who imagines this as a new world of possibilities - imagine being able to at least get an interview for that dream job, rather than being rejected on the basis of that long string of katakana! - there are also those who dread the idea of having to give up the name that ties them to their own family and ethnic heritage.

The simple answer to this question is YES, you do need to take a Japanese name.

The reality, however, is that a "Japanese name" is not necessarily what you are thinking. You have to follow the same rules that a Japanese parent has to follow when naming a baby... which, as any of you who have had the responsibility of choosing a name for your own multicultural little one will know, does not necessarily restrict you to 太郎 {Tarō} and 花子 {Hanako}.

A quick look at the authors of this blog will give you an idea of some your options to start with. As you can see, some of us (like me) choose to write our existing names in Japanese characters. Others choose a more Japanese-sounding name that is similar in either sound or meaning to their original name, and others choose something that is altogether different from the name they were born with.

You do need to write your name in Japanese characters. This can include ひらがな {hiragana}, カタカナ {katakana}, 常用漢字 {jōyō kanji} (kanji for everyday use), and/or 人名用漢字 {jimmeiyō kanji} (kanji designated for use in names), in any combination you choose. 鈴木太郎 {SUZUKI Tarō} obviously fits the bill, but so would スミス　ジョン {SUMISU Jon} (John Smith), 鈴木ジョン {SUZUKI Jon}、スミス太郎 {SUMISU Tarō}, etc. You also have the option of creating a new, Japanese sounding but not traditionally Japanese name for yourself if you prefer the idea of being unique. The possibilities are endless... with a few important limitations.

First, there are no middle names in Japan. If you've ever had a child, again, you will already have had to make this choice - give your child a single first name, or give him or her a first and middle name, knowing that they will forever be squashed together as a single, very long, first name.

Second, all members of a family, as listed on the 戸籍 {koseki}, must have a single family name. If you have heard that men must take a Japanese name when naturalizing, this is probably the source of the misconception. If you are already married to a Japanese citizen and/or have children, and if you and your spouse and children do not already share the same last name, you will have to decide on a single name to use after you become Japanese. So if you are Smith and your husband or wife is Suzuki, your options are to change your own name to Suzuki, have the rest of your family members change their names to Smith, or choose a new, third family name for all of you to use. I don't have the numbers to back this up, but I would wager that a good percentage of people in this situation simply go with the Japanese family name that their spouse and children are already using, but you don't have to.... as long as the rest of your family doesn't mind the change.

Finally, a few things to consider: Most Japanese family names are one, two, or three characters. Four character names are rare, and the only traditional five-character family name is 勘解由小路 {KADENOKŌJI}. You are free to name yourself something longer, but make your decision knowing that long names do stand out. Longer first names are more common these days, especially with more multicultural families. Also, keep in mind that some 漢字 {kanji} that can be used in names now were not necessarily available in the year you were born. Whether you prefer to be unique or to blend in among people the same age is up to you, but checking a baby name book for new vs. traditional kanji will give you some ideas, one way or the other.

As a side note, just because a 漢字 {kanji} is legally acceptable for use in a name doesn't necessarily mean that it's appropriate. Characters like 悪 {aku} (bad),　闇 {yami} (darkness),　無 {mu} (nothingness), are on the list... but depending on how you use them, a name with a very negative connotation may not be accepted. Remember the parents who tried to name their child 悪魔 {Akuma} (demon)?