Is Shohei Ohtani a Father? Clarifying the Rumors and International Birth Registration in Japan

Is Shohei Ohtani a Father? Clarifying the Rumors and International Birth Registration in Japan

Question from a reader:
Does Shohei Ohtani have a daughter? Was she born in the 7th year of Reiwa?

About Shohei Ohtani and His Family

Recently, I’ve noticed many questions regarding Shohei Ohtani, particularly about whether he has a daughter. In reality, he does not have a daughter. I was curious about this as well and did some research, which I
would like to share with everyone.

A Legal Perspective

From a legal standpoint, even if there is a registration at a Japanese consulate, the process of registering a birth in the United States can be quite complex. For instance, if a registration was made in Japan in the 7th year of Reiwa, it would mean that the birth occurred in the U.S. in 2025. Handling international births can sometimes lead to confusion, especially when time differences and variations in laws come into play, making it difficult to determine which date is correct. When I discussed this topic with a friend, they laughed and said, “That’s written in the law book!” It’s true that pulling out a law book can be a hassle, so I find it enjoyable to think through these discussions instead.

Interesting Episode

The other day, while working part-time at a judicial scrivener’s office, this topic came up. A client mentioned, “My child was born in America, but I want to register them in the Japanese family registry.” I made an effort to explain the process, but the client looked bewildered and said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” It made me reflect on whether my explanations might sometimes be overly complicated. On another occasion, we had a lot of snacks prepared at the office, and while I nervously explained the process, I couldn’t resist the temptation of the sweets and ended up munching on them. The client noticed and smiled, which eased the atmosphere a bit.

I Want to Hear Your Experiences

Discussions about international laws and family matters can surprisingly feel quite relatable. What experiences have you all had? If you have any stories related to laws or procedures, I would love for you to share them. Let’s enjoy this conversation together in the comments!