What do Japanese call their surnames?

Generally, people use their surnames orally and their full names in formal occasions. Acquaintances and friends can be called by their first names.

Japanese names are often written in Chinese characters, but the pronunciation is completely different. For example, "Yamamoto" should be pronounced as Yamamoto, "Mishima" as Mishima and "Sunset" as Kusaka.

Japanese people are also used to calling by their surnames instead of their first names. If someone goes to find a man named Sato, there will probably be several Satos who will agree together. There is a joke: if grenades are thrown at crowded people during the rush hour in Japan, 9 people in 10 will be called Sato.

Extended data:

Japanese surnames generally consist of one to three Chinese characters, and a few have more than four Chinese characters. In 1870, in order to meet the needs of conscription, taxation and household registration. Emperor Meiji issued the Order on Civilians Allowing Miao Wen, which allowed all Japanese, including civilians who were not allowed to have surnames before.

Japanese civilians who are used to not having surnames are not enthusiastic about it, so the work of creating surnames is slow. Therefore, in 1875, Emperor Meiji issued an order that Miao Wen, a civilian, must be addressed, stipulating that all Japanese people must use their surnames.

After the Japanese get married, because the law prohibits the husband and wife from having different surnames, the wife generally changes her husband's surname, and if she is an adopted son-in-law, she changes her maiden name.

In addition, the Japanese emperor has no surname. It is estimated that at least 90% of surnames currently used by Japanese residents come from the period after Meiji Restoration. However, this figure currently lacks authoritative statistics.

References:

Japanese name _ Baidu Encyclopedia? Japanese Name _ Baidu Encyclopedia