Michiko’s name was given by her father. The character in the middle of her name (支), is a component of the term 支那 (zhina in Chinese and shina in Japanese). Since the pre-war period, the use and interpretation of the term developed differently in China and Japan. In today's China, the term is linked with the Japanese invasion of China and came to be regarded as extremely discriminatory and offensive. However, in Japan, while some individuals deliberately use the term to be offensive, others consider the term simply as an old name for China, ignoring how the term is linked in China with memories of the war and unequal Sino-Japanese relationship in the first half of the twentieth century.

 

When Michiko was born and named, her Japanese father was using the term as a geographical term and did not attach any offensive connotations. Michiko’s father named his daughter - Michiko, 'a beautiful child born in China' - with endearment and not with the aim of being derogatory. 

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This project acknowledges the sensitivity and regards the term as a historical term with various interpretations. It is by no means intended to be offensive.