Summary
Highlights
Japan has introduced a new law to prevent parents from giving their babies unusual names like Pikachu and Kitty. This change is due to new rules on the pronunciation of kanji characters, which were previously interpreted to allow for strange or silly names according to authorities.
The headline 'Japan introduces rules to put outlandish baby names to bed' uses the idiom 'put something to bed.' This means to successfully deal with a difficult situation. The phrase is used humorously in the context of babies, as 'putting babies to bed' is a literal action, while here it signifies resolving the issue of unusual names.
In Japan, unusual baby names are described as 'Kira Kira,' meaning 'shiny' or 'glittery.' This trend of choosing individual and creative names is now being limited. The term 'flashy' is used to describe something expensive or designed to attract attention, which applies to these names as they draw notice.
Authorities are concerned that these unusual names can be difficult to pronounce and may cause embarrassment for children later in life. Headlines state that Japan 'takes aim at' baby names like 'Nike,' meaning they are trying to tackle or criticize this trend. 'Taking aim at' metaphorically means to target or attempt to deal with a problem or criticize something seen as negative, similar to literally aiming a weapon.
The word 'flashy' is an adjective derived from 'flash,' a short moment of bright light that attracts attention. Similarly, something 'flashy' is designed to attract attention, such as an expensive car or watch, or even a person's behavior. It implies something showy or ostentatious.