As 2024 comes to an end, JAPAN Forward has picked up five top trending words to relive some of the year's main stories with our readers.
In our previous story, we looked at No 5 on our list: No Memorable Quote (名言が残せなかった). The expression helped us reflect on the achievements of athletes in their sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
Our next trending word of the year, No 4, also comes from the field of sports, specifically, the world of baseball.
Second of 5 in a series
No 4: 50-50
A nod to baseball player Shohei Ohtani, who achieved an unprecedented feat in Major League Baseball with more than 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. This historic achievement captivated sports fans worldwide.
Covering the Trend
Fans and journalists were waiting with bated breath as the Los Angeles Dodgers player stayed on track to garner this milestone. Sports Editor Ed Odeven weighed in with his analysis.
The Sankei Shimbun's editorial board brought together highlights from Ohtani's year, including the Dodgers' victory at the World Series.
To top it all off, Ohtani wowed fans again by becoming the first winner of the MVP title three years in a row. It truly was Sho-time!
Until now, we've looked at trending words that originated in the field of sports. But there were also words reflecting changing faces in the Japanese economy.
Check back for Trending Word No 3 on our list.
Continues in: Japan's Trending Words in Our 2024 Stories:
'New Banknotes' (新紙幣)
Follow the series Trending Words in Our 2024 Stories.
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The Best of JAPAN Forward 2024: Read the Series
Author: JAPAN Forward
