[Apfel]

I've spent a lot of time in China over the years and most of their tech systems are built on the assumption that only Chinese folk will ever use it. In this case, the vast majority of Chinese people have a 2, 3 or 4 character name ('why would you EVER need 16, silly 老外?')

It's a bit of a 'Foreigner in China' stereotype to whine about how absurdly difficult it is to go to e.g. the bank or a hospital as a non-native because it happens so often.

[imajoo]

The character limitation is also a problem in Korea. The thing that makes it worse is that your name on your alien registration card (think Green Card) is used to open your bank accounts. If they don't match you'll have a hell of a time doing any sort of online or mobile transaction since the systems are tied together. Only recently some banks have recognized this as a problem and extended the number of characters allowed.

[autumnstwilight]

Japan also has this issue.