Japan’s Name Game: The Akuma-chan Incident & Koseki Yomigana Rules

Can you name your kid “Devil” in Japan? What about Pikachu, Raito (Light from Death Note), or even a Devil Fruit name from One Piece?Japan has strict rules on names, and starting this May, the government is introducing a new requirement: all names in the koseki (family registry) must include yomigana (phonetic readings). This seemingly simple change could have big consequences, especially for people with unique kanji names or mixed-nationality families.In this episode, we explore: The 1993 Akuma-chan Incident, when parents tried to name their child "Devil" and sparked a nationwide debate. Why Japan is now requiring official phonetic readings for all names. How this affects foreign names, unconventional kanji readings, and the future of naming freedom in Japan. Strange name cases in Japan—why “Pikachu” was almost a real baby name, and how “Light” from Death Note actually exists!Is Japan protecting children from bad name choices, or is this government overreach? Tune in and decide for yourself!☕ Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/quirkyjapanese#QuirkyJapanese #Japan #Koseki #NamingLaws #DeathNote #OnePiece