JAPAN Forward 
Poster for the TV series "Extremely Inappropriate!" which became the top buzzword of 2024. (©TBS)
The top Japanese buzzwords for 2024 were revealed on December 2. Officially known as the "U-can Shingo Ryukogo Taisho" (U-can Prize for New Words and Popular Words of the Year), the awards recognize 10 key buzzwords annually, with one selected as the ultimate winner.
This year, the grand prize was awarded to "Futehodo," a shortened version of the title of the hit TBS drama Extremely Inappropriate! (Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru!).
Futehodo (ふてほど, 'Extremely Inappropriate')
Written by Kankuro Kudo, Futehodo aired in the January season. The drama follows a gym teacher from the Showa era who time-travels to the present day.
He boldly upholds his old-fashioned Japanese values, which are seen as "extremely inappropriate" by modern standards. At the same time, his stance challenges contemporary perspectives, prompting viewers to reflect on their own beliefs.
Interestingly, the abbreviation "Futehodo" became associated with various scandals throughout the year, including major scandals such as the government certification test fraud by automobile manufacturers.
The awards also recognized nine other words and phrases that captured the spirit of 2024:
Uragane Mondai (裏金問題, 'Hidden Money Scandal')
The most controversial fund scandal of 2024 involved the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. It centered on the failure to report over ¥600 million JPY in campaign funds to tax authorities.
The scandal led to public outrage and intense media scrutiny, resulting in punitive actions against dozens of LDP politicians, including the resignation of key figures.
Additionally, the faction system, a long-standing pillar of LDP power, was effectively disbanded.
Kaiwai (界隈, 'Scene/Community')
Originally referring to a geographic area, "kaiwai" has taken on a new meaning, describing people connected by shared interests or hobbies.
For example, "Nature Kaiwai" refers to people who enjoy natural landscapes. The term gained popularity on social media, inspiring trends like "Rotation Kaiwai," where individuals showcase their outfits in videos by rotating 90 degrees to music.
Shoro Japan (初老ジャパン, 'Middle-Aged Japan')
A playful nickname for Japan's equestrian team, which has an average age of 41. The team won a bronze medal in "eventing" at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Shoro, traditionally used to refer to people in their 40s, now often refers to middle age as life expectancy has increased.
Shin Shihei (新紙幣 'New Banknotes')
Japan released new banknotes in July 2024, the first update in more than two decades. The new notes feature 3D hologram technology to combat counterfeiting.
They replaced figures like Hideyo Noguchi (¥1,000), Ichiyo Higuchi (¥5,000), and Fukuzawa Yukichi (¥10,000) with Kitasato Shibasaburo, Tsuda Umeko, and Shibusawa Eiichi.
50-50
A nod to baseball player Shohei Ohtani, who achieved an unprecedented feat in Major League Baseball with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. This historic achievement captivated sports fans worldwide.
Bling-Bang-Bang-Born
A song by the Japanese hip-hop group Creepy Nuts, it gained widespread attention for its catchy rhythm and viral dance challenge. The song's success was fueled by its universal appeal across generations and infectious beat.
"Howaito Anken" (ホワイト案件, 'White Project/Job')
In part-time job advertisements circulating on social media, the term is typically used to describe legitimate work. However, it is increasingly being misused to lure individuals into what seems like safe work, only for them to unknowingly become involved in criminal activities.
This includes cases where people have unintentionally participated in crimes, such as robberies, disguised as "white" work. The rise of such hidden crimes has become a significant social issue.
Meigen ga Nokosenakatta (名言が残せなかった 'Failed to Leave a Memorable Quote')
This phrase means "I failed to leave behind a memorable quote" and was spoken by Japanese athlete Haruka Kitaguchi, who won a gold medal in women's javelin at the Paris Olympics.
After her victory, Kitaguchi expressed regret for not creating a memorable quote like many of the athletes she admires. Her humility and endearing comment resonated with fans and the media.
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(Read the related article in Japanese.)
Author: JAPAN Forward
