names
Many are assuming this is a backlash against trendy kirakira names, but is that really the case?
This Okinawan singer has a last name so rare, only 1 every 90,000 people in Japan have it!
For the third year in a row, this particular name takes the top spot for all felines, male or female.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your little bundle of joy, maybe this will give you some ideas.
The most popular cat breed in Japan has clinched the title for the twelfth consecutive year.
Meanings show hope for bold boys, beautiful girls in list of the most popular names of the Heisei era.
Baby name suggestion website compiles list of its users favorite names for they’re considering for their daughters.
Having trouble thinking of a name for your new kitty? Here are Japanese feline fans’ favorite choices.
Some ask what’s in a name, but women with these monikers proved to be more popular than any others on one well-known dating app.
If, like me, you grew up playing Super Mario Bros. on the NES, then you’re no doubt super excited for the launch of Super Mario Maker this coming September. Exclusive to Wii U, the game allows players to build their own worlds, using every block, enemy and power-up (plus a few new ones) from a whole host of Super Mario games, then share them with players all around the world.
For those of us who never quite gave up on our childhood dream of making games for Nintendo especially, Super Mario Maker is shaping up to be the ultimate celebration of 30 years of Mario, and the thought of throwing all your favourite bad guys into bizarre platforming situations has us positively giddy with excitement.
With that in mind, today we’ve decided to take a quick look at some of the characters we know and love from the Mario franchise. To spice things up, though, we’re going to be introducing you to their original Japanese names and explaining a little about the meanings behind them. Think you know Mario? Let’s find out!
Earlier this week, we looked at popular baby names making the rounds this year in Japan and now we’ve discovered some data on what Japanese named their pets in 2014. The little guy above may be right to look concerned because almost every name on the list is food-related…
You may think choosing a name for your kid is hard, but in the West, we have it easy. All we have to choose is the name. Here in Japan, parents-to-be also have to choose what characters they want to write it with, a decision that has to take into account the relative auspiciousness of the number of strokes it takes to write, how well-known a particular reading is, and even if the government will accept the name they finally settle on!
Like trends for particular names, there are trends in the use of particular kanji or Chinese characters, too. Insurer Meiji Yasuda has just published the most common names this year and the kanji used for them, so read on to see what the hippest babies are sporting.
Turning 100 years old is indeed a great achievement. Not only can we appreciate and look up to those who seem to follow the correct path to a ripe old age, but it’s always a shining example of how far we have come as a people to extend our lives so much over the years.
And so, it’s with great honor and reverence that we here at RocketNews24 would like to wish a happy belated birthday to Ms… erm… Mxy…zptlk Sugahara!
Apparently we weren’t alone in not being able to read this woman’s name. Netizens came out in droves shrugging their shoulders and figuring a cockroach got into the printing press. A chosen few however, scolded their peers for not being cultured enough to decipher it.
What’s in a name? In Japan, those with a strong understanding of kanji, those pesky Chinese characters that are always tripping up language learners, can immediately understand the significance of anyone’s appellation.
Although the most common surname in Japan is “Sato,” it turns out that there’s a far more popular name combination that doesn’t include our quirkiest reporter‘s last name. Let’s take a look at the most common given and family names in Japan and the meanings behind them.




















Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan asked to vote on what to officially call insanely hot days
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Tsukiji Fish Market Vendor Releases Tuna For Home Assembly
Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
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One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
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Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
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Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
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Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
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Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Tsukiji Fish Market Vendor Releases Tuna For Home Assembly
Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
Where are all the beautiful women in Japan? Survey investigates
Cherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
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One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
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Japanese Twitter user stumbles across legendary deep-sea fish, cooks and eats it four different ways
Coffin meditation sessions being offered by Tokyo relaxation parlor
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan now has plant-based vegetarian steamed “meat buns”