Japanese Buzzwords

Fast on the heels of the OUP’s WotY, here’s a list of 60 words and expressions nominated for Japanese Buzzword of the Year by publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha.

A few seem uniquely Japanese (#35, “Tetsuko,” or female train fanatics), but in general the mix of political scandal, sports, and pop culture that spark coinage appears to be universal. Some (#49, “working poor”, #52, “inconvenient truth”) could have appeared on any list, in any language.

Thanks to Lampbane for the link.