Topic Reading-Vol.2606-5/31/2019
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〒180-0006 東京都武蔵野市中町2-3-5 IIHA武蔵野1階
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Topic Reading-Vol.2606-5/31/2019
0422-27-5366
〒180-0006 東京都武蔵野市中町2-3-5 IIHA武蔵野1階
電話受付/月〜金 9:00-18:00
Topic Reading-Vol.2606-5/31/2019
Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Japan wants you to say its leader’s name correctly: Abe Shinzo
In Japan, it’s the family name, not the given name, that is called first. For example, the prime minister is Abe Shinzo, not Shinzo Abe and the legendary baseball player is Suzuki Ichiro, not Ichiro Suzuki. In fact, people usually call each other by their family name followed by “san” unless they are close to each other or within the family circle. It is the same custom as China and Korea. However, ever since Japan was introduced to the Western world a century and a half ago at the beginning of the Meiji era, Japanese names were written in reverse order in English. It was part of the effort to be recognized by Westerners in a friendly and equal manner.
Three era names later, Reiwa era has just started. Now the Japanese government is taking this opportunity to ask the international media to call Japanese names in the Japanese way. Actually, foreigners seem to know and respect Japanese practice and they usually, if not always, call a Japanese by its family name and san. But when a Japanese name is written, it’s still shown reversely.
As two world sports events are going to be hosted in Japan, the Rugby World Cup this year and the Summer Olympics next year, it may be a good time to say, “please write and call my name correctly.”
Enjoy reading and try to remember any Japanese names in the correct order.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/21/asia/japan-name-abe-shinzo-intl/index.html
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