Japanese has the reputation of being an angry, gutteral language, the German of the Asian region. However, it does have some poetic aspects, particularly when describing socially embarrassing things. Here is a list of my favourite Japanese words and phrases.
Amakuderi
Translates roughly as ‘descent from heaven’, amakuderi refers to the practice of retiring government bureaucrats being hired by companies in the industries which they formerly oversaw. The contacts and nepotism involved are part and parcel of the industrial/government mindset here.
Zeikin dorobou
‘Tax thief’. Describes public funds being used to fund extravagent and unnecessary public works, such as this bridge. Closely tied to the practice of amakuderi, where a construction company has turned its contacts into contracts.
Enjo kosai
‘Paid dating’, a pretty slick euphemism for prostitution. The past few years have seen a massive increase in teenage prostitution, organised by mobile phone.
Ugiosujo
‘Lady birds’ refers to the pretty, young, election campaign girls, who are often paid for their services, rather than volunteer because they support the political ideology.
They generally wear white gloves, and their sole purpose is to wave and look interested, and smile a lot!
Bosozoku
Japanese ‘motorcycle gang’ (boso means reckless driving, zoku means gang).
