Selected as Buzzword of the Year for Inaugural Remark
Quotes "Attack on Titan" Line at Investment Event
Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan, was selected for this year's Japanese Buzzword of the Year Award for her remark made immediately after winning the ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election on October 4: "I will work and work and work and work and work." On December 2, Yonhap News, citing Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun, reported that Takaichi's statement "I will work and work and work and work and work / Female Prime Minister" was chosen the previous day as the annual grand prize winner of the "T&D Insurance Group New Words and Buzzwords Awards."
Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan, was selected for this year's Japanese Buzzword of the Year Award for her remark made immediately after winning the ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election on October 4th: "I will work and work and work and work and work." Photo by EPA Yonhap News
This is the fourth time that a sitting prime minister's words have been selected for the buzzword award. In addition to Prime Minister Takaichi's "work" remark, the Osaka-Kansai Expo (Osaka Expo) mascot "Myakumyaku," the term "Gogogomai" referring to old rice released by the Japanese government in response to soaring rice prices, and the film "National Treasure" directed by Korean-Japanese director Lee Sangil, were also ranked in the top 10 buzzwords of the year.
Prime Minister Takaichi attended the award ceremony held in Tokyo the previous day and commented on her "work" remark, saying, "There were both supporters and critics." She added, "While it is certainly an important time for labor reform, as the leader of the nation, I want to contribute to the country and its people by working and working and working and working and working, no matter what." Considering concerns that her statement could encourage overwork, she further clarified, "I have absolutely no intention of encouraging excessive labor among the public, nor do I intend to promote long working hours as a virtue, so please do not misunderstand."
Regarding the selection of "female prime minister" as a buzzword alongside her remark, Prime Minister Takaichi wrote on social networking services (SNS) the previous day, "I did not work with the goal of becoming the first female prime minister, but if there are people who feel encouraged by what is called 'breaking the glass ceiling,' I would be very pleased and honored."
Debate Over Takaichi's Boundary-Pushing Communication Style
Even before becoming prime minister, Takaichi was a conservative commentator who skillfully used social networking services (SNS). Since taking office, she has continued to actively share her personal thoughts through SNS and other platforms. Her SNS account has more than 2.37 million followers. Based on this communication ability, she is recognized for using language in parliamentary sessions that is easy for the general public to understand. At a meeting with Saudi Arabian investors held in Tokyo the previous day, Prime Minister Takaichi quoted a line from the popular manga "Attack on Titan" and appealed for investment in English, saying, "Shut up and invest everything in me."
Before becoming Prime Minister, Takaiichi was a conservative commentator who skillfully used social networking services (SNS). Since taking office, she has continued to actively share her personal thoughts through SNS and other platforms. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
Meanwhile, there has been some criticism of Takaichi's communication style and choice of words, with some saying she was "careless" or that she is "crossing the line and causing unease." Above all, although she was quoting a popular phrase from "Attack on Titan," there is considerable debate in Japan about a sitting prime minister publicly saying "shut up." Some have described Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks as "on the edge." However, since the phrase can be translated in Japanese as "Just be quiet and invest everything in me," there are also cautious views that this may simply be a cultural difference.
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