🏆 2024 New Words & Buzzwords Nominees (Listed Alphabetically in Japanese)
Each year, Japan's "Shingo・Ryukogo Taisho" (New Words & Buzzwords Awards) highlights terms that have captured the nation's attention. For visitors to Japan, understanding these buzzwords can provide valuable insights into contemporary Japanese culture and societal trends. Below are the 2024 nominees, along with their contexts:
アサイーボウル (Açaí Bowl) 🥣🍇
A nutritious dish featuring the Brazilian superfood açaí, blended with fruits and granola. It first gained popularity in Japan in the mid-2000s and experienced a resurgence among Generation Z for its "Instagrammable" appearance.
アザラシ幼稚園 (Seal Kindergarten) 🦭🎥
A live-streamed program from a Dutch seal rescue center showcasing baby seals. Originally started in 2019, it gained sudden popularity in Japan after being shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
インバウン丼 (Inbound Donburi) 🍱🌏
A term combining "inbound" (referring to foreign tourists) and "donburi" (rice bowl). It describes high-end seafood rice bowls marketed towards tourists. Initially criticized for perceived overpricing, the dishes became more acceptable due to favorable exchange rates for foreign visitors.
裏金問題 (Secret Fund Scandal) 💰🕵️♂️
A political scandal unveiled by the Communist Party's newspaper, "Akahata," revealing unreported funds in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's faction activities. The exposé led to significant political repercussions during the general election.
界隈 (Kawai - Community) 👫🌐
Originally meaning "vicinity" or "area," this term has evolved among Generation Z to refer to a group of people with shared interests or a particular community, especially online.
カスハラ (Kasuhara - Customer Harassment) 😠🛒
A portmanteau of "customer" and "harassment," describing unreasonable complaints or abusive behavior by customers towards service staff. The issue has prompted companies to establish policies protecting employees from such conduct.
コンビニ富士山 (Convenience Store Mt. Fuji) 🏪🗻
Refers to a convenience store in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, offering a picturesque view of Mt. Fuji. The location became a popular photo spot among foreign tourists, leading to concerns over crowding and local disturbances.
侍タイムスリッパー (Samurai Time Slipper) 🎬🗡️
An independent film about a samurai from the Aizu domain who time-travels to the present and becomes a stunt performer. The movie gained nationwide acclaim, transitioning from limited screenings to widespread release.
初老ジャパン (Shoro Japan - Middle-Aged Japan) 🏇🥉
A nickname for Japan's equestrian eventing team at the Paris Olympics, with an average age of 41.5. The team secured a bronze medal for the first time in 92 years, challenging age-related stereotypes.
新紙幣 (New Banknotes) 💴🔄
In July 2024, Japan introduced new banknotes for the first time in two decades, incorporating advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies. The release sparked discussions, especially in an era increasingly favoring cashless transactions.
新NISA (New NISA) 📈💹
An updated version of Japan's tax-exempt investment scheme for individual investors, effective from January 2024. The revisions aim to encourage a shift from savings to investments, though market volatility has led to mixed reactions.
ソフト老害 (Soft Rōgai - Mild Old Offender) 👴🤝
Coined by former broadcast writer Osamu Suzuki in his book "Shigoto no Yamedoki" ("When to Quit Your Job"), this term refers to older individuals who, despite good intentions, may inadvertently hinder younger generations.
トクリュウ (Tokuryu - Anonymous Fluid Group) 🕶️💻
A term introduced by the National Police Agency to describe anonymous, fluid criminal groups formed via social media, engaging in activities like robbery and fraud without members knowing each other's identities.
南海トラフ地震臨時情報 (Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information) 🌊⚠️
Following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the Hyuga-nada Sea in August 2024, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever emergency information regarding a potential Nankai Trough mega-earthquake, prompting nationwide preparedness discussions.
猫ミーム (Neko Meme - Cat Meme) 🐱🎶
A viral trend on platforms like TikTok, featuring videos of cats jumping set to the song "My Happy Song." These memes captivated audiences and contributed to the global popularity of cat-related content.
はいよろこんで (Hai Yorokonde - "Yes, with Pleasure!") 💃🎵
A song by multi-creator Kento Kocchi, known for its catchy chorus and dance moves. The track became a social media sensation, with many users posting their dance renditions.
8番出口 (Hachiban Deguchi - Exit No. 8) 🚇🔍
An indie escape game set in a fictional subway station, developed by KOTAKE CREATE. Players navigate endless underground passages, and its popularity surged through gameplay videos by YouTubers and VTubers.
BeReal 📸
A French-origin social media app that prompts users at random times each day to capture and share photos using both front and rear cameras simultaneously. It's gaining popularity among Japanese youth.
Hidankyo ☮️
Short for "Nihon Hidankyo" (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), this group advocates for the rights of atomic bomb survivors and promotes peace movements. Their efforts toward nuclear disarmament have recently garnered renewed attention.
50-50 ⚖️
Shohei Ohtani's achievements, "50-50" refers to his historic accomplishment during the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. On September 19, 2024, while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. This remarkable feat showcases his exceptional combination of power and speed, setting a new standard in professional baseball.
Futehodo 😎
A portmanteau of "futebuteshii" (brazen) and "hodohodo" (moderate), describing a demeanor that's both confidently assertive and appropriately restrained. This slang is emerging among young people and on social media platforms.
Bling-Bang-Bang-Born 🎶
The title of a solo track released by a member of the popular South Korean boy band BIGBANG. The song has become a topic of interest among Japanese fans.
Breakin' 🕺
A colloquial term for "breakdancing," which became an official event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leading to increased attention in Japan.
White Anken 💼
A colloquial term referring to jobs or projects with favorable working conditions, including appropriate working hours and benefits. It's a popular expression among job seekers.
Integration of My Number Card and Health Insurance Card 🆔
Refers to the Japanese government's initiative to merge the My Number Card (national ID) with health insurance cards. As part of its digitalization efforts, the government aims to phase out traditional health insurance cards by 2025, consolidating them into the My Number system.
Couldn't Leave a Memorable Quote 🤐
A self-deprecating phrase used when a public figure or celebrity fails to deliver a memorable line during an interview or speech.
Mou ee deshou 🎤
The phrase "Mou ee deshou" (もうええでしょう), which roughly translates to "That's enough, right?" or "We’re done here, aren’t we?", became widely recognized through the Netflix drama Tokyo Swindlers (地面師たち), released in July 2024.
In the drama, actor Pierre Taki (ピエール瀧) plays Yoshio Goto, a cunning fraudster involved in land fraud scams (known as "Jimenshi" 地面師 in Japan). His character frequently uses the phrase "Mou ee deshou" in high-stakes negotiations, often pressuring others to quickly agree to his terms or signaling that a conversation is over.
Yabai, kakkoyosugiru ore 😎
Translates to "Oh no, I'm too cool." This phrase is used humorously among young people and on social media to express self-admiration in a playful manner.
Reiwa Rice Riots 🍚
Refers to social issues in the Reiwa era involving significant increases in rice prices or shortages in supply.
📌 Why These Terms Matter for Visitors to Japan
Whether you're visiting Japan for travel, business, or study, keeping up with popular language trends can help you better understand Japanese culture. Many of these words reflect ongoing social changes, government policies, and humor found in daily conversations.
If you're planning a trip to Japan, you might even hear these terms in casual conversations, news reports, or social media! Learning them in advance will help you engage more deeply with the country’s culture.
Which of these words do you find the most interesting? Let us know in the comments!