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Last fall, Japan embraced a policy to swap the order and write the surname first on all official documents, recommending capitalization to emphasize which name is the family name.
Mar 21, 2020 · Many Japanese are accustomed to writing their names in English with the family name last, and while the government has changed how it refers to the Prime Minister and other officials, the domestic English language press still largely uses "Shinzo Abe."
- Why Are Japanese Names “Backwards”?
- When Do You Call Someone by Their First Name in Japan?
- How Are Foreigners Addressed in Japan?
The first thing to realize here is that “backwards” is a relative term. In the U.S., we refer to “first name” and “last name”—but these are just terms based on the order we use. The more general terms are “given name” (what we call “first name”) and “family name” or“surname”(what we call “last name”). Japan is not the only country that puts the fam...
In Japan, given names (“first names”) are used less than in the West. Given names are mostly used for children, casual settings with close friends, and when speaking to someone younger than you. When referring to someone you’re not very close to, you often use their family name followed by “-san” (さん). It’s kind of like saying “Mr. ______” or “Ms. ...
If you’re a foreigner, Japanese people will understand you’re not fully accustomed to how they use names. They won’t expect you to follow all their conventions—and they may not treat you the same as other Japanese, either. Many Japanese people will cater to how you use names in your own country. So if you’re American, they may address you by your f...
- Steven Paul
Some Japanese used to write their own names with first names first to be familiar with westerners. Some even allow foreigners to use nicknames, like "Hiroaki TAKAYAMA" would become "Hiro" or "Aki" instead.
Oct 12, 2022 · Surnames (often called last names in English) are diverse in Japan but perhaps not as diverse as in a place like America. The population of Japan is 98% ethnic Japanese, so not much compromise has taken place when it comes to last names.
Looking for a list of Japanese last names? What are the most common Japanese surnames? Do you know the meaning of the main surnames? Why do Japanese people usually have only two names? Why does the Last Name come first in Japan? These and other questions will be answered in this article.
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A look at the history, changes and evolution of Japanese names over time, including the significance of names and how external factors such as globalization can have an impact.
