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
