Naming your child Pikachu? Gov panel to suggest accepted kanji readings

In one cited example of so-called kirakira (sparkly) names, it would be acceptable for the kanji characters 光宙 read as pikachū, which could be a hit for fans of the Pokemon universe. [...] As an example, a Justice Ministry official said 大空 — usually read as о̄zora (sky) — could also be read as sukai (sky). Another acceptable example was to read 光宙 as pikachū. Together, this particular pair of characters doesn't have a conventional reading. However the character 光 (light) is associated with the Japanese onomatopoeia pikapika, which refers to something bright and shiny. Together with the character 宙, which can be phonetically read as chū, a creative interpretation of kanji combo can be read as pikachū.

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On the other hand, the provided example of an unacceptable reading was 山田太郎 — normally read as Yamada Taro — being interpreted as tetsuwan atomu, the name of the main character in "Astro Boy" anime series. The characters have has nothing to do with the meaning of the kanji, nor is there a historical or modern reading close to tetsuwan atomu, and so therefore this interpretation would be rejected.

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Lothor said:

Doesn't the Justice Ministry have anything better to do?

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Petaris said:

When ever it comes to interesting new names people give there kids I always think of this: Exploits of a Mom

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