bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Alice Yan

A 27-year-old Japanese man has trended on social media because his unconventional name of “Happy” has brought him just the opposite.
After Happy Terauchi’s story was reported by ABEMA Prime TV at the end of March, a heated discussion about unusual names was triggered on the internet.
His name was given to him by his mother to mark the overwhelming joy she felt when Terauchi, her first child, was born.
But she did not expect his name would bring him so much trouble.
Terauchi’s name attracted much attention at school and led to him being bullied.

He hates birthdays or holidays because people would greet him using the word happy, such as Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine’s Day, which would lead to ridicule.
Terauchi said he wanted to change his name when he was at secondary school, but soon gave up on the idea because he understood his mother’s feeling behind his name, adding that he bore no grudge towards her.
When his name was called at his college’s opening ceremony, everyone turned their attention to him, making him feel despair and helplessness.
His name also hindered his quest to find a job as many companies came to the conclusion that he was pranking them.
This negativity also hit romantic relationships due to the reaction of the parents of would-be girlfriends.
“For the older generation, they still do not accept non-mainstream names,” Terauchi was quoted as saying.
The turning point came after he finally began working.
He said some clients were impressed by his name, while some said the business card bearing his name would bring them good fortune.

“I am happy when hearing this. Luckily I did not change my name to an ordinary one,” he said.
“Now when I tell others my name, I do not feel bad. This is the biggest change for me.”
Sasago Akemi, a 30-something woman in Japan, who chose the homophonic name “Smile” for her nine-year-old daughter, said she was concerned the girl would experience similar problems, after she read Terauchi’s story.
“I hoped she would always smile. But now I am worried that her name would affect her school life, finding jobs, and getting married,” she said.


Dying cancer-stricken Thai boy, 6, fulfils final wish to meet famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng

Japanese woman finds underwear-clad boss in her bed, calmly leaves and calls the police

Japanese monk adopts abandoned dog deemed too noisy, later saved by canine from fierce bear

Japan ‘selfie grandma’, Kimiko Nishimoto, dies at 97, rises to fame at 72 for quirky portraits

Viral stories

Happy not happy: Japan man faces bullying as child, struggles in love, work due to odd name

A man in Japan has faced ridicule for most of his life after his mother gave him the name Happy. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/ABEMA Prime


Terauchi’s name has given him nothing but trouble throughout his life. Photo: ABEMA Prime

His mother gave him the name to mark the joy she felt when he was born. Photo: ABEMA Prime

China court auctions 100 tonnes of live crocodiles, starting at US$550,000, no delivery

A court in China is auctioning off 100 tonnes of live crocodiles at a starting price of US$550,000, sparking much amusement online. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

While the crocodile auction has attracted widespread interest online, the court is yet to receive a bid. Photo: Baidu

Last year the bottle of Sprite above, which belonged to a bankrupt millionaire, was auctioned off, sparking concerns about a waste of judicial resources. Photo: Baidu

Man sues China gaming firm for depression after being ‘virtually slapped’ 4,800 times

A Chinese man is suing a mainland gaming firm claiming that he suffers from depression after being “virtually slapped” 4,800 times. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Bilibili


In one game, participants can be slapped with virtual sandals by fellow players. Photo: QQ.com

Legal experts say that the virtual “slapping” could constitute online bullying. Photo: Shutterstock 

China film honours ‘Dumpling Queen’ from street vendor to billion-dollar food empire founder

The film pays tribute to the “Dumpling Queen”, chronicling her inspiring journey from street vendor to the founder of a billion-dollar empire.
Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/Sohu

After leaving school, Zang, above, initially found employment as a nursing attendant at a hospital and later married a Thai doctor, with whom she had two daughters. Photo: QQ.com

In 1977, after being abandoned by her husband, Zang moved to Hong Kong, where she raised her two daughters alone. Photo: QQ.com

Determined to carve out a better future, Zang, above, set up a small dumpling stall at the bustling Wan Chai Pier to sell home-made dumplings. Photo: QQ.com

Zang, above, passed away in February 2019, at a time when Wanchai Ferry boasted 15 production facilities worldwide. Photo: QQ.com

Thai dad arrested for abandoning baby in forest to punish wife who denies him sex

A father in Thailand has been arrested after he “abandoned” his newborn baby in a forest to punish his wife who denied him sex after childbirth. Photo: SCMP composite/khaosod.co.th/mustsharenews.com

The father took his baby to a banana grove and took a photo which he sent to his wife as a threat. Photo: YouTube 

Police interviewed the couple and the husband is likely to face drug charges. Photo: YouTube 

Chinese woman stages 20 fake marriages to help clients ‘navigate social pressures’

A woman in China has staged 20 fake marriages over seven years, taking on the bride role to help clients cope with societal pressures. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Taobao

Cao memorises details like age and occupation and meets the groom’s family in advance to ensure authenticity before the big day. Photo: Getty Images

A lawyer warned that while Cao’s role is not bigamy, it may involve fraud, posing legal risks with fake IDs or scams. Photo: Getty Images

Her work highlights the intense pressures families face from societal expectations and resulting generational conflicts. Photo: Shutterstock

News

People & Culture

Man finally finds satisfaction after years of ridicule, gets job in which clients think his moniker will bring them good fortune


Man finally finds satisfaction after years of ridicule, gets job in which clients think his moniker will bring them good fortune.


Japan