The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announces the “Kanji of The Year 2017” at Kyoto, Kiyomizu-Dera every year on 12th December. This Kanji is selected from suggestion given by public by vote. What is "Kanji of the year" in 2017? In to that addition, we will introduce the “Buzzwords of The Year” too.
Also, tell us your "Kanji of the year" and “Buzzwords of The Year” too.
What is "Kanji of the year" for 2017?
The Kanji in 2016 was "金（gold）", "Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games" was held in that year. "gold" shows the Japanese people’s hope to get more “gold medals” during the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The Chinese character of 2015 was "安（calm or cheap）". People ask for the “peace” of mind."
And this year, the "Kanji of the year" was announced! It is "北（North）"! "North" is said to be the "North" of "North Korea". It was a year with North Korean issues and missile launches became news. In addition, the high school baseball player called "monster" Kotaro Kiyomiya is joined professional baseball to Hokkaido's（北海道) Nippon Ham after nominating. That is one of the reason too.
「What is the Kanji of FUN! JAPAN?」
By the way, multinational staffs from FUN! JAPAN team selected these Kanji to represent FUN! JAPAN. The reason for those Kanji are as below.
翔：Brilliant future [Hisako]
愛：A site loved from all over the world [Yoko]
和：Nice Team Work [Aki]
楽：Fun and Easy [Cheak]
趣：the “FUN! JAPAN” in Chinese = 楽趣日本 [Jessica]
輪：Supporting each other and Communication [Pauli]
笑：FUN! JAPAN LOGO and All staff are always smiling [Junko]
What is YOUR kanji?
Buzzwords of The Year 2017
This award takes in the topic that was buzzed during the whole year. The topic include entertainment information, political problems, popular trend etc. In year 2016, were “神ってる(God-ing)" , "Pilgrimage of the Holy Land (for movies)", "Pokemon GO" and " PPAP "etc. What is the “buzz” topic in Japan in 2017?
Buzzwords of The Year:インスタ映え (looks good in Instagram)
This is a phenomenon in which the appearance of images and photographs is more important than text for SNS like Instagram. Instagram is a trigger of the boom. It is not only Instagram, users for all other SNS like Facebook and so on is trying their best to show their “looks-good-in-Instagram” photos.
Buzzwords of The Year: 忖度 (“sontaku” means conjecture)
“忖度” or conjecture means to form an opinion or supposition about something on the basis of incomplete information. It was a word widely spread in the press of Japan's media during the discussion about Prime Minister Abe' s Moritomo Gakuen issue (森友学園問題) and Kakei Gakuen issue (加計学園問題).
TOP 10 for Buzzwords of The Year, new words (excerpt)
35 Oku (35億 or 3.5 Billion by BURUZON CHIEMI comedian)
A word from the career woman's story by a Japanese comedian talent. Her name is BURUZON CHIEMI (ブルゾンちえみ). She won the popularity in 2017. Half of the world's population, 3.5 billion people are men. That is the meaning of this this “35 Oku”. School girls imitated makeup and hairstyles. The two-person unit "Brilliant" appearing in the back as a "BURUZON CHIEMI with B" became famous now. And the song used during the show is the “Dirty Work” by the American singer Austin Mahone is well known among Japanese now too. All related parties gain popularity because of BURUZON CHIEMI.
Premium Friday
Premium Friday is campaign promoted by the Japanese government to “reform the working lifestyle”. It is recommended to finishes work earlier every Friday at the end of every month at 3 pm. The purpose is to spend “premium” time with friends and family.
How was the article? Looking back over the past year, do share with us your "Kanji of the year" and " Buzzwords of the year " in the comments section! We are looking forward to it!
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