Japanese courtesy
Sir: Dot Wordsworth (Mind your language, 13 May) reports that a Japanese reader inquires why English publications western- ise Japanese names rather than use the family-name-first system which is the cus- tom in Japan and, indeed, in much of Asia. The answer is that since the Meiji era (1868-1912) the Japanese themselves have reversed the order of their names when dealing with westerners. It wasn't our idea. For example, all Japanese employ the west- ern system of family-name-last on their business cards when printing their names in Roman characters. In China and Korea, business cards use the oriental system of family-name-first, and journalists oblige by using that system when they write stories, e.g., President Kim Young Sam of South Korea. Why the Japanese themselves per- sist in the curious 'habit of reversing their own names for the benefit — or is it the confusion? — of foreigners is a subject of debate. Some say that it is a matter of sim- ple courtesy designed to make things easier for foreigners. Others say the practice reflects a touch of arrogance indicating that the Japanese believe that westerners are incapable of dealing correctly with anything the least bit unfamiliar.
Barry Hillenbrand
32 Warwick Avenue, London W9
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