Japanese names are increasingly chosen by non-Japanese families. The question of when this is fine and when it isn't has a thoughtful answer.
When it's generally fine
Names with broad international reach, Kai, Hana, Ren, Mei, Akira, that exist in multiple cultures or have crossed over in everyday Western use. Names chosen for sound, with the meaning understood and respected.
When to pause
Names tied to specific Japanese cultural or religious roles, names that only work in kanji, or names so culturally specific they'll feel out of place outside Japan. A name your child will have to explain constantly, and won't have the cultural grounding to explain, is a hard road.
The kanji layer
In Japan, the same spoken name (say, "Haruki") can be written with very different kanji, each carrying different meaning ("spring tree," "shining sun," etc.). If you don't use kanji, you're picking just the sound. That's fine, but know that you're getting roughly half the name.
If you do choose one
Learn the meaning. Learn the correct pronunciation (not the closest English approximation). Be ready to explain the choice with respect when asked.