On Monday, I registered my Japanese name at the city hall as a “Common name”, although I am still a foreigner in Japan. Originally I am Chinese, and I still have a Chinese citizenship. However, I have been learning Japanese since middle school. To me, Japanese can hardly be called a foreign language, although it is not my mother tongue either.
Living in Japan let me know that I truly love this place. Compared to other foreigners in Japan, I am luck because I look Japanese, and my pronunciation is close to native. There was one major problem, I have an exotic name. Thanks to Japanese law, I have a chance to get a Japanese name before I get the Japanese citizenship. Even though the paper works takes over two months, I think it is worthwhile.
I kept my first name because it occasionally sounds like an ordinary Japanese people, and it is a gift given to me by my mother. By the way, When I told my mother that I changed my name. She felt said because she thought I was not only betraying my motherland but also going against my family. Not to mention I am the only child of family. However, I really love Japan. Over the years that has never changed. I feel happy in Japan, while I felt desperate in China.