Saitou

Saitō is a Japanese surname and romanization of several kanji combinations, most commonly 斎藤 or 斉藤, and less commonly 齋藤. The surname is widespread in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad. It is typically read as Saitō, with the elongated o indicated by the macron in standard romanization.

The name is usually formed from a first kanji that can be read "sai" or "sei" and the second kanji 藤 meaning "wisteria." The two most common spellings in kanji are 斎藤 and 斉藤, though historical forms such as 齋藤 appear in older records.

Notable people with the surname include Saitō Makoto, a Japanese statesman who served as Prime Minister from 1932 to 1934, and Saitō Hajime, a captain of the Shinsengumi in the late Edo period. There are many other individuals with this surname across fields such as politics, academia, sports, and the arts.

In fiction and media, characters named Saitō appear in various works; romanizations vary, with Saitō, Saito, and Saitei? common English spellings. The name’s presence in literature, film, and games reflects its status as a familiar Japanese surname rather than a single, specific figure.