Japan’s romanization update: which spelling should you use?

shi, chi, tsu—and n for ン

The main table uses shi, chi, tsu, fu and ji. When an older text gives si, ti, tu, hu or zi, the attached comparison table helps you connect them to the same readings. Keeping one scheme in your own notes makes words easier to find again.

For ン, the guidance consistently uses n: kanpai and Shinbashi are examples. Some stations and established names use m in these positions. Copy the operator’s displayed spelling when looking up a station or quoting its name.

How まっちゃ becomes maccha

Small っ marks a consonant hold. The guidance represents it by doubling the following consonant; for a two-letter consonant, repeat its first letter. In maccha, ch supplies the extra c. In zasshi, sh supplies the extra s.

Matcha is also an established international spelling and appears in the guidance’s discussion of existing usage. Use maccha to practise the stated rule. When quoting a drink, shop or product name, keep the spelling that name actually uses.

Long vowels: Tōhoku and Touhoku

The line above ō is a macron marking vowel length. The guidance also allows vowel letters to follow modern kana spelling: とうほく becomes Touhoku, while おおの can become Oono. One keeps ou and the other oo, matching their kana.

These forms preserve useful distinctions: おの and おおの, or ゆき and ゆうき. In reading notes, Ōno / Oono and Yūki / Yuuki show the extra length. When referring to a person, use that person’s chosen spelling.

For words such as しいたけ and へいせい, shiitake and Heisei are customary. Check the original kana when deciding how to write a long vowel, and keep the kana beside your romaji while proofreading.

Keep established names such as Tokyo

The guidance recognises established forms such as Tokyo and judo, and asks writers to respect the choices of people and organisations when spelling their names. Check a person’s signature, an organisation’s website or an official map before quoting a name.

For a pronunciation note, とうきょう can be written Tōkyō or Toukyou. An existing address or English place name using Tokyo keeps that spelling. For passports, airline bookings and registered records, check the travel document and the receiving service’s requirements, then use the recorded name.

Keep using your usual Japanese input method

Keyboard input continues as before. Question 52 of the official Q&A says the revision has no effect on input methods. Your input method can still use sequences such as di, du and wo to produce ぢ, づ and を.

When writing their pronunciation in romaji, the particles は, へ and を appear as wa, e and o. When typing the kana, follow your input method’s keys. Keeping a pronunciation line and a keystroke line in your notes makes the two tasks easy to practise.

Check the purpose before you save or submit

For study notes, check the kana first, then the main-table spelling, n, doubled consonants and long vowels. Keep your treatment of long vowels consistent within the same set of notes.

For quoted names, keep the spelling confirmed by the person or organisation. For a form or booking, identify whether the field wants the name in Latin letters, a Japanese reading or Katakana. A name tool can help compare kana and romaji; check the original record character by character before submitting.

Compare Japanese romaji and Chinese Pinyin for names →