Question about Last Names

[DCAllAmerican]

Please tell me why names are said backwards in Japan?
Kohji Konemoto - Konemoto Kohji

I am sure you know what I mean. Could you please give me a good explanation so that I can possibly explain to others.

I was asked why was Yao Ming, a very popular Chinese basketball player, has the name Yao on the backside of his jersy and not Ming on the backside.

[Vertigo]

i dont remember where i heard this but i believe in Japan family comes before self, so you put your last name first to show importance.

[Muiyan]

hey guys.

Check it, in both Chinese and Japanese cultures (don't know bout Koreans), names start with family name first before your given name.

So therefore, Kanemoto is the family name so it comes first. "Kanemoto Koji" is the proper REAL DEAL Japanese name, same thing goes for "Yao Ming". Yao is the family name, so it comes first.

In Western perspective, yes of course it's backwards. But in the Asian point of view, YOU guys are backwards