2007 Top 10 Japanese Buzzwords

Here are Jiyu Kokumin-sha‘s Top 10 Ryukogo Taisho (Japanese Buzzwords) for 2007:

Rank #1
Dogenka, sen to ikan
Somehow, we have to do it
— Miyazaki Governor Higashikokubaru Hideo
during his exhortation before the assembly of his economically ailing prefecture



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #2
Hanikami Oji
Bashful Prince
— refering to Ishikawa Ryo, 16 year-old golf prodigy



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #3
Kieta nenkin
vanished pension funds
–Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Masuzoe Yoichi
describing the mismanagement of pension payment records by the Social Insurance Agency



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #4
Sonna no kankei nee
It doesn’t matter!
— comedian Kojima Yoshio
while doing his infamous comedic routine



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #5
Dondake
Really?! or No way!
— popular transvestite TV personality, Ikko
expresses disbelief or surprise
used among membres of the Shinjuku 2-chome gay community



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #6
Donkanryoku
the power of insensitivity
— author Watanabe Junichi
in his best-selling book of the same title, pertains to having a “thick skin” or the ability to stay relaxed and not being paranoid over little mishaps



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #7
*no winner*
Shokuhin giso
false labeling of foods
Japanese media
coined from stories revealing manufacturers’ mislabeling the contents of food products, disregard for the freshness dates of ingredients or use of slipshod sanitation methods



Photo from: Sugoistuff

Rank #8
Netto kafe nanmin
Net cafe refugees
— author Kawasaki Shohei
through his eponymous book about people down on their luck who are forced to seek shelter in cafes



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #9
Ogui
big eating
— awarded to TV “food fighter” and pop singer, Gal Sone



Photo from: Singojiyu

Rank #10
Moushobi
extremely hot day
— officially coined by the Meteorological Agency
refers to days when temperature reaches 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and above



Photo from: Singojiyu

Source: Singojiyu

Author: Flori

… is virtually a free spirit who loves independent movies, literature, graphic novels, pop culture, music (especially indie rock and jazz), food, cooking, vintage fashion, and Alpha Males. Read more Flori melodrama on Short Term Effect .

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