The "Japan Naming Awards 2023," which honors the most commendable naming of the year, held its award ceremony on the 4th in Tokyo. Out of 509 nominees, Crypton Future Media's "Hatsune Miku" emerged as the grand winner.

The award aims to highlight the importance of naming in society, seeking to enhance the quality and value of naming to enrich lifestyle culture and contribute to industrial growth by recognizing and honoring outstanding names.

Eligible for consideration were product names, service names, company names, etc., offered or sold in Japan from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, and registered as trademarks.

Hatsune Miku, a vocal synthesizer software released on August 31, 2007, has its name deriving from the idea of "the first sound from the future." Crypton Future Media explains that prior synthesizer software developed and sold by them had no surnames, only first names. Hatsune Miku was designed to make the singer more imaginable to users, incorporating futuristic elements into her outfit and distinctive teal pigtails, along with basic profiles like age, height, and weight. Adding a surname with a meaningful origin was a strategy to ease the visualization of this character.

Mitsuyo Ohta revealed the winning factor: "Hatsune Miku was a pioneer in the virtual talent scene. At her debut, I must admit I was overwhelmed, but she has since collaborated with various creators worldwide, firmly establishing the name 'Hatsune Miku.' Although she remains eternally 16, this year marks the 16th anniversary of her debut, a commemorative year celebrating her achievements and growth through collaboration with creators."