Japan to put surname first for Japanese names in English

Japan will start using the traditional order for Japanese names in English in official documents, with family names first, a switch from the Westernized custom the country adopted more than a century ago, government officials said Friday.

The idea has been floated for years and but some ministers in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ultra-conservative Cabinet recently started pushing for it again.

The Cabinet agreed Friday to begin making the change with government documents, though no timeline was given for its start.

"It is important for all of us in the world to recognize language and cultural diversity as we live in an increasingly globalized society," said Education Minister Masahiko Shibayama, a vocal supporter of the move.

"It is significant to make a change per Japanese tradition and write family name before the first name."