Tokyo: The Japanese prime minister’s correct name is Abe Shinzo and not Shinzo Abe. This has been made clear by Mr Taro Kono, the country’s foreign minister, who asked the overseas media outlets to identify the leader with his family name, Abe, first.
His name has typically been spelled ‘Shinzo Abe’ internationally, despite the Japanese government producing a report in 2000 which concluded that Japanese names should be written with the family name first in all instances. Mr Kono said change would be made as Japan enters its new Reiwa (beautiful harmony) era, which began at start of May with ascension of Emperor Naruhito.
“I plan to ask international media organisations to do this. Domestic media outlets that have English services should consider it too,” Mr Kono said.
