The Japanese government has expanded its list of kanji characters permissible for personal names with the addition of '勒'. The list now extends to a total of 3,000 legal characters. The decision, announced recently, is part of an ongoing revision process to adapt to changing linguistics and cultural norms. The details about the usage and implication of the newly allowed kanji '勒' are still being discussed within relevant circles.

In Japan, the use of kanji in names is regulated by the Japanese government. This is part of an overall effort to simplify the use and understanding of characters in official documents and databases. While Japanese society often balances between traditional norms and evolving demands, such changes are often met with keen interest as they directly impact people's identity and language usage.

In contrast, the US or EU does not have such stringent rules on naming, largely due to the essential alphabetical system they use. Instances of name regulation are rare and are usually aimed at banning offensive or potentially harmful words rather than simplifying language.