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Why Everyone in Japan Could Be Named Sato-san By 2531
In a future Japan where couples can’t choose separate surnames, 2531 could be the era of the Sato-sans, one Japanese university claims.
Ever crossed paths with a Sato? Given its prevalence in Japan, chances are you have a few in your circle Now, imagine this: by 2531, this surname might take over, multiplying until it’s the only one left.
Tohoku University’s research paints a concerning picture: a future Japan dominated by a single surname. This scenario spells trouble for diversity and the legacy of Japanese family names.
A land of Sato
The Center for Aging and Society at Tohoku University undertook a surname-focused analysis of Japan’s future amidst an aging society, declining birth rates, and marriage rates. Their study explored the trajectory and demographic trends of the most common surname, Sato.
By 2023, “Sato” stood as the top surname, with around 1,842,000 bearers nationwide, comprising 1.529% of the Japanese populace. Under the current law that dictates Japanese couples must have a single surname, Sato’s prevalence surged by 1.0083 times in just one year, from 2022 to 2023.
