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!

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