*petpets* Perhaps Obata-sensei didn't want to decide on a kanji. I mean, Hikaru and Akira are names that read as "shine" or "light" ... but if you decided on a kanji you would have bought into meanings associated with the kanjis as well as with the names.
As for Utada Hikaru, it is possible that people use the katakana to hide their real names. Utada isn't a very common surname. Perhaps using her name in katakana alaso helps make her accessible to those who are lazy about kanji.
I have a student whose last name is Kaneko. ^_^ (I also have a student called Kunimitsu, and another with the family name of Tezuka. I have NOT met a Tezuka Kunimitsu, but a friend over at AEON has. He even looked like Tezzie, she said. XD <3 Anyway.) I don't think the Japanese notice the last names. Did you know Kaede is a BOY's name? I always thought it was female ... may be a unisex thing.
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As for Utada Hikaru, it is possible that people use the katakana to hide their real names. Utada isn't a very common surname. Perhaps using her name in katakana alaso helps make her accessible to those who are lazy about kanji.
I have a student whose last name is Kaneko. ^_^ (I also have a student called Kunimitsu, and another with the family name of Tezuka. I have NOT met a Tezuka Kunimitsu, but a friend over at AEON has. He even looked like Tezzie, she said. XD <3 Anyway.) I don't think the Japanese notice the last names. Did you know Kaede is a BOY's name? I always thought it was female ... may be a unisex thing.
I am rambling, aren't I? XD Sorry.