前日本首相鳩山由紀夫改名字

Recently the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:
　鳩山由紀夫元首相は４日、自らの政治信条である「友愛」の１字を取って政治活動名を「鳩山友紀夫」に変更する考えを明らかにした。読み方は「ゆきお」で変わらない。北海道室蘭市の後援会会合で語った。
　変更の理由について記者団に「友愛精神が十分に伝わっていない」と説明。「東日本大震災で絆の大事さに気付いた。絆はまさに友愛だ。名前に『友』を入れて理解を深めたい」と述べた。戸籍名を変更するかどうかは、家庭裁判所と協議するという。
　鳩山氏は後援会会合で「日本を世界に尊厳をもって迎えられる国に育て上げたい気持ちで燃えている」と述べ、政治活動の継続に意欲を示した。

(試譯文)
On the 4th, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama clarified the idea of taking the character "friendship" which was his political belief into his name, thereby changing his political activity written name into "Tomo-kio Hatoyama". In reading, the name -- "yukio" -- would not be changed. This was told at the supporters' association meeting at Muroran city, Hokkaido.
To a press group, the reason for changing was explained: "The spirit of friendship is not fully transmitted". It was said that "He noticed the importance of bonds from the East Japan great earthquake. Bonds were just friendship. He would like to put a "friend" into his name so as to deepen the understanding." It was said that there was discussion with the Family Court to see whether the name in family register would be changed.
Mr. Hatoyama said at the supporters' association meeting that "He is burning with desire to bring up Japan to the world as a country being greeted with dignity", and he was showing the volition to continue with political activity.

It is interesting to note that a politician would change his name for the sake of politics.