Why is Ichiro the only major league baseballer to have his first name on the back of his jersey?

From: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/18800_aguy16.shtml

Q: Why is Ichiro Suzuki allowed to have only Ichiro, his first name, on the back of his jersey? Won't that set a dangerous precedent?

AG: Less dangerous than sitting in the stands when Chuck Knoblauch is playing second. And not a precedent either -- pitcher Vida Blue used to have Vida on his jersey, and Chili Davis had Chili (the nickname, not the food). Regarding Ichiro, the Mariners informed the league that he had worn only Ichiro on his jersey during the past nine years in Japan and planned to continue that practice. No problem ensued.

i was thinking for a second that ichiro was his last name/family name in japan, but i think i am wrong. suzuki is his family name, right? so in japan, it goes suzuki ichiro. family name, then given name.

I guess the related question would be then: Does everyone in japan have their first name on their Jerseys?

My understanding is that he had Ichiro on his jersey in Japan (and now here as well) because so many other players were named Suzuki. Apparently this name is as common in his native country as Smith is in the English speaking world .