Why are Japanese names in order of last name and first name?

 In Japanese, names are traditionally written with the last name (surname) first, followed by the first name (given name). This order is consistent with naming conventions in other East Asian countries like China and Korea.¹

Here's a breakdown of the main reasons for this custom:

• Historical Tradition: This practice has deep roots in Japanese history and reflects the importance of family and lineage in society. The family name was seen as preceding the individual.
• Family Emphasis: Placing the surname first emphasizes the individual's belonging to a particular family or clan. In the past, and to some extent even today, family background can carry social significance.²
• Record Keeping and Organization: In historical records and official documents, listing surnames first made it easier to organize and categorize individuals by family.
• Influence of Chinese Writing: The Japanese writing system and many aspects of its culture have been historically influenced by China, which also follows the surname-first order.

It's worth noting that when Japanese names are written in English, the order is often reversed to conform to Western conventions (first name then last name). However, there has been a movement in Japan to encourage the use of the traditional Japanese order (last name first) even in English, especially in official contexts, to promote cultural understanding and consistency. In these cases, the surname is sometimes capitalized to clarify which part of the name is the family name (e.g., SUZUKI Ichiro).