Jiyū Kokumin Sha announced on November 4 his nominees for the words of the year 2022. The editor of Gendai yōgo no kiso chishiki (Basic Knowledge of Contemporary Terminology), annual consultant for the newest terms used in the Japanese language, has conducted the contest widely followed is a key component of his advertising efforts and has once again settled on 30 terms that have an integral component of the Japanese language this year.
Once again, the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged many of the terms on the list, from the “omicron strain” of the virus to “facial underwear,” a term for surgical mask that remained de rigueur in 2022. presence on the list, with the appearance of Japan Major League Knocker / Pitcher Ohtani Shōhei, along with national stars such as House King Murakami Munetaka and the same “Big Boss”, former player and current manager of Hokkaidō Nippon Ham Fighters Shinjō Tsuyoshi, also on the list Economic problems, political turmoil and popular entertainment appear among the words, Which makes it a complete set of words on everyone’s lips in 2022.
Below you will find the list of the 30 terms or expressions nominated, as well as our brief explanations. The finalists and winning word(s) of the year will be announced on December 1, Japan time.
インティマシー・コーディネーター – Intimashī kōdinētāArray These “intimacy coordinators” paint on film and television sets, bringing specialized technique to the construction challenge and ensuring that consensual agreements between actors and control staff require very sexual content.
インボイス制度 — Inboisu seido. Japan’s admission tax calculation and reporting regimes are expected to be replaced from October 2023, with a “billing formula” that requires investors to factor and retain qualified invoices to track tax collection and payment. The new formula is expected to impose new reporting and record-keeping burdens on small businesses in particular, and has been criticized as difficult to understand.
大谷ルール — Ōtani rūru. Ohtani Shōhei, the Los Angeles Angels’ double batting/throwing threat, welcomed the creation of a new “Ohtani rule” that frees him from a previous Major League Baseball requirement that a pitcher move to a defensive position to remain in the batting order after being retired. from the mound. Ohtani and other pitchers can now remain in the lineup as designated hitters even if they don’t take the box defensively.
オーディオブック – Odiobukku. “Audiobooks” have gained popularity among Japanese readers, especially in the age of smartphones, when more and more readers decide to pay attention to their titles while on the move or doing familiar tasks. Mimikatsu, “ear-based activities” aimed at self-improvement through language learning or news content was another buzzword of the year.
OBN. The ōrudo bōizu nettowāku, “network of old men,” refers, as in other countries, to the non-public relations networks, basically between men, that shape office culture and discover winners in the corporate and government world. In organizations where NVOs exert a strong influence, decisions can be made behind closed doors, leaving women absolutely out of the process, some say.
オミクロン株 – Omikuron kabu. The “omicron strain” of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was first detected in November 2021 in South Africa. Considered more virulent than previous strains, it triggered the sixth wave of COVID-19 infections in Japan, its greater ability to spread was compensated through relief in the severity of symptoms in patients who contract it.
顔パンツ — Kao pantsu. The term “facial underwear” emerged as an expression of the concept that appearing in public without a mask on the face is shameful in the age of the pandemic.
ガチ中華 — Gachi Chuka. La expression 街中華 (machi Chūka), meaning “the Chinese restaurant of your friendly community,” has recently emerged as a description of ramen and fried rice that caters to Japanese tastes. Gachi Chuka, on the other hand, are the gachi, or “full-on,” restaurants discovered in Ikebukuro and other communities where Chinese people gather to enjoy the cuisine of their own country. These restaurants increasingly fit into an age when foreign is less possible.
キーウ — Kiu. La Ukrainian capital, once written as “Kiev”, is now Kyiv, a translation more in line with its pronunciation in the Ukrainian language. As the Russian invasion of the country progresses, the city has been in the news more than ever. and the Japanese media have replaced their portrayal in katakana from their call キエフ (Kiefu) to this new version.
きつねダンス — Kitsune dansu. The Hokkaidō Nippon Ham Fighters cheerleading team, the “Fighters Girls,” led this “fox dance” to the tune of Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis’ 2013 hit song “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?). “The dance moves and is optimistic. The music was a resounding hit at the ballpark, where enthusiasts were out of their seats to sign up for moves at the Fighters’ home games.
国葬儀— Kokusōgi. “State funerals” made headlines this year when the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said former Prime Minister Abe Shinzō would get one. Personalities appointed through the prime minister, became invalid in 1947, and the existing constitution provides no foundation for them in the fashionable age. However, there have been a handful of state funerals for prime ministers, the newest being Abe’s. (This term was also in the news in connection with the rites of Queen Elizabeth II. )
こども家庭庁 — Kodomo katei chō. The “Agency for Children and Families” is expected to become operational in April 2023 as a new external framework of the Cabinet Secretariat. In June of this year, a new Basic Children’s Act was enacted, which establishes the fundamental principles for the coverage of children. rights. Observers note that since the Ministry of Education maintains oversight of children’s education, this new enterprise represents a vertically divided technique for management in the domain of youth interests.
宗教2世 — Shūkyō 2-sei. “Second-generation believers” are young people born to members of certain religions; They grow up in an environment strongly marked by the religion and ideals of their parents and other members of the family circle. Sociologist and devout scholar Tsukada Hotaka coined the term, which has become widespread following the assassination of former Prime Minister Abe; The gunman arrested at the scene says his mother was deeply concerned at the Unification Church, whose ties to Abe prompted him to engage in shooting.
知らんけど – Shiran kedo. With the meaning of “I suppose” or “it’s not like I know anyway,” this sentence, thrown at the end of a statement, is a way of evading duty by the content of what the speaker just said. Kansai region in recent years, has made its way to Tokyo and Kantō, where other young people in particular have adopted it as a way to turn the full scope of the argument presented so far into their ear.
Spy × Famille. La manga series through Endō Tatsuya premiered in March 2019 and was brought to the small screen as an anime series in April this year. A master spy pursues his target through the creation of a fake family, with the woman enrolled in it. School as the son of the politician in question, however, unbeknownst to him, his new wife is one of the main killers, and the persecuted child has telepathic talents that allow him to see the true nature of any of his adoptive parents. The comedian touches the plot and several popular slogans made Spy Family one of the biggest hits of the year.
スマホショルダー – Sumaho shorudā. These shoulder straps that bring instances for smartphones were popular pieces among other people of all ages. Variety of types, from indisputable covers to wallets that become wallet or small bag.
青春って、すごく密なので — Seishuntte, sugoku mitsu nanode. Residents of Japan have been suggested the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid san mitsu, or the “three C’s” of confined and enclosed spaces, crowded places, and close contact environments. However, Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School baseball coach Sue Wataru underscored the tension. this has put younger generations when he poignantly declared that “youth is up close and personal” in an interview after the team became the first school in Tohoku’s domain to win the prestigious summer baseball national championship.
#ちむどんどん反省会 — #Chimu Hanseikai Dondon. This hashtag is popular with NHK morning drama enthusiasts Chimu dondon, who were looking to keep up with the latest and exciting trailers through “follow-up meetings” after each new episode of the show. The drama followed a young woman from Okinawa as she sailed. A steady stream of trials and tribulations, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
丁寧な説明 — Teinei na setsumei. A “full and complete explanation” is what Prime Minister Kishida Fumio promised to provide to the public regarding the resolution to hold a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzō, which provoked a backlash in many circles of society.
てまえどり — Temaedori. This movement to decrease food loss is prompting shoppers to choose perishable goods on the front of displays, which are closer to their expiration date than those on the back, if they intend to consume them soon after purchase. The word combines the words temae (forehead) and toru (take).
ヌン活 — Nunkatsu. Enjoying sumptuous afternoon tea in a fancy hotel was fashionable among some teams of people. The trend was partly a reaction to the emotions of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and Americans appeared to be more “active. “(katsu) in the afternoon (nun, starting at “noon”).
Japanese baseball legend Shinjō Tsuyoshi gave himself the nickname when he returned to Nippon Professional Baseball as manager of the long-suffering Hokkaidō Nippon Ham Fighters.
村神様 — Yakult Swallows slugger Murakami Munetaka had a stellar season, hit 56 home runs and became the youngest player to win the Triple Crown, which consists of batting average, maximum home runs and maximum runs scored. Fans of the 22 The two-year-old excitedly discussed his divine functionality on social media, swapping the last character of his surname 村上 with 神(kami), meaning “deity,” and adding the honorific name sama for added impact.
メタバース – Metabāsu. Metaverse services, whose convergence complements physical and virtual realities, are receiving increasing attention as Japan increases its investment in Web3 and other IT technologies with the goal of achieving virtual transformation.
ヤー!パワー!— Now!Paua!Comedian Nakayama Kinnikun has lured fans to his TikTok account with videos of his energetic slogan “Now, Power!”
ヤクルト1000 — Yakuruto 1000. La probiotic drink Yakult 1000 has been a huge fortune since it became widely available in retail stores in October 2021. Containing a distinct strain of lactic acid bacteria, it has attracted new converts who claim it has fitness benefits, such as reducing tension and sleeping better.
リスキリング – Risukiringu. La reexercise, especially in the IT and virtual fields, is increasingly attracting the attention of corporations to exercise staff in other trades and staff who need to bring it to life or reorient their careers.
ルッキズム – Rukkizumu. ” Lookism,” the tendency to judge others by their appearance or physical characteristics, is a developing fear in society, especially on social media, where negative comments and other abuse directed at a user can cause serious harm.
令和の怪物 — Reiwa no kaiyetsu. Fans of Lotte Marine throwing phenomenon Sasaki Rōki have dubbed him the “Reiwa Monster” after the current era call for his exploits on the mound. Japanese professional baseball player to accomplish the feat. He nearly finished a record replay in his next appearance on the mound, but outplayed the manager at the end of the eighth inning to protect his pitching arm.
悪い円安 —Warui en-yasu. Finance Minister Suzuki Shun’ichi said the weakening of the yen is “bad” for the Japanese, as economic points such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have greater uncertainty around the world. The currency fell to a 32-year low against the US dollar, shortly venturing into the ¥150 diversity in October. The yen’s immediate fall has worsened inflation, affecting household budgets by increasing the burden of things like energy and daily necessities.
(Originally written in English. Banner photo, clockwise from left: Fox Dance Fighters, © Jiji; Murakami Munetaka celebrates his fifty-sixth circuit, © Jiji; a in “facial underwear”, © Pixta; Abe Shinzō’s state funeral, © Jiji; the yen falls below 150 to the dollar, © Jiji; a bottle of Yakult 1000, © Kyōdō Images. )