The Japanese government plans to review the rules for Romanizing the Japanese language for the first time in about 70 years, The Japan Times reported on March 2.
This will be done to align the transliteration system of the official language with daily usage, officials said.
The country will move from the current Kunrei-shiki rules to the Hepburn rules, meaning, for example, that the official spelling of Japan’s central prefecture, Aichi, will replace Aiti. Likewise, Tokyo’s famous shopping district, known worldwide as Shibuya, will be renamed Sibuya at its official launch.
The Hepburn system, which better reflects English pronunciation, has long been used predominantly in society as well as in official settings, including on passports and road signs, although the cabinet decided in 1954 that the Kunrei rules would be used. shiki.
However, the country’s primary school curriculum guidelines require that third-year students be taught Japanese romanization according to the national ten-year designation.
Amid concerns that the gap between the official rules and accepted usage is causing confusion, the Council’s Cultural Affairs subcommittee deemed it necessary to consider a review to improve communication.
To revise the cabinet statement enshrining the Kunrei-shiki system, the Minister of Education will need to consult with the council about the change.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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