Japan's Trending Words in Our 2022 Stories: 'Bad Weak Yen' (悪い円安)
Japan's Trending Words in Our 2022 Stories: 'Second Generation Religion' (宗教２世)
Japan's Trending Words in Our 2022 Stories: 'State Funeral' (国葬儀)
Japan's Trending Words in Our 2022 Stories: 'Murakami-sama' (村上様)
As 2022 comes to an end, JAPAN Forward has picked up 5 top trending words to relive some of the year's main stories with our readers.
Previously we looked at expressions originating from the Japanese context, such as Bad Weak Yen (warui enyasu, 悪い円安), Second Generation Religion (shukyo nisei, 宗教２世), and Shinzo Abe's State Funeral (kokusougi, 国葬儀).
Today, we look at another theme which dominated the conversation in Japan and around the world. Coming in at No. 2 of our trending words: Kyiv (キーウ).
2. Kyiv (キーウ)
This word needs little introduction, as it refers to the capital of Ukraine, and to the wider theme of Russia's aggression.
Already in November 2021, JAPAN Forward had published an article in which our contributing author predicted an impending Russian invasion of its neighbor, Ukraine.
That came to pass on February 24, 2022. Russia invaded Ukraine, starting the first land war on the European continent since World War II. The military move caused outrage around the world, and Japan was among the first countries to react politically and economically, along with other countries of the G7.
In March, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian government, changed the transliteration of the capital's name to reflect the Ukrainian pronunciation (Kyiv) rather than the Russian one (Kiev). That is how the new Japanese word, キーウ (Kyiv) was born.
JAPAN Forward followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech in the National Diet, and protests against the war on the streets of Tokyo.
- From Giving Funds to Volunteering as Soldiers, Japanese Rally for Ukraine
- Zelenskyy’s Appeal to Japan: Help Stop Russian Invasion, Start Rebuilding Ukraine
We also interviewed an array of experts on the topic of the war, including Ukraine's Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky, Poland's envoy to Japan Paweł Milewski, and international relations expert Andrii Gurenko.
- Russian’s Invasion is Genocide: Ukraine Envoy to Japan on Why Moscow Must Be Isolated
- Japan ‘Most Strategic Partner’ to Help Avoid Rise of Violence in Ukraine, Says Polish Envoy
- TRANSCRIPT | Get Russia Out of Ukraine or Risk Return to ‘Age of Wars’
The invasion of Ukraine has caused a shift in the security debate in Asia. Many world leaders beyond the Indo-Pacific have shown growing concern over China's posture, and the status quo of Taiwan's self-governance going forward.
- 8 in 10 Japanese Concerned Russian Aggression Would Inspire China ー Poll
- Leaderless, Cut Off, and Alone: The Risks to Taiwan in the Wake of Ukraine
- Challenge of the China-Russia Axis in the Post-Ukraine World Order
- [Asia’s Next Page] Missing a Common Synergy: The India-Japan Divide on Ukraine
Unfortunately, the invasion of Ukraine is a problem which is set to continue causing concern to Japan and the world in 2023.
Until then, we have one more trending word to unveil. Make sure to check in tomorrow for Trending Word No. 1 for the year in the last installment of this column.
A little hint: in the midst of so much darkness, this next Trending Word will likely lift your spirits.
Author: JAPAN Forward
