Since middle names are not used in Japan, the parents of a newborn need only agree on one name for their offspring. This is probably just as well: Choosing a kanji name involves a whole host of complex considerations, and while some couples settle on a name written in kana (Japan's phonetic script), the majority opt for a moniker of one to three kanji for their little bundles of joy.

Many new parents uphold the tradition of consulting fortunetelling charts to determine whether a potential name is "auspicious," based on the number of strokes in the characters comprising it. The pronunciation of each kanji must be decided upon, with obscure options often available, and the given and family names must sound harmonious together. The meanings of the characters are also of critical importance, reflecting, as they often do, the hopes parents hold for their child.

Since 1990, the Justice Ministry has limited the kanji allowed for use in Japanese personal names to the 1,945 general-use (joyo) kanji and 285 name (jinmei) kanji. Beginning last month, however, a wide range of new naming options became available: Responding to public pressure, the ministry has increased the number of jinmei kanji by 488, bringing the total to 773.