2005 Reflected in the Buzz Words and Phrases of the Year

Since this issue of the Japan Labor Flash is the final issue of the year and 2005 is about to end, let's take a look at the outgoing year.

At the close of each year, it is customary for the most popular new words and phrases which emerged throughout the year to receive awards. Let us look at the social situation this year as expressed in words and phrases pertaining to labor issues among those listed in the top 60.

First, "Koizumi Theater" and "within (outside) my expectations" have been awarded the grand prize. The former phrase describes the Lower House election in September, in which the tactics of Koizumi's LDP in selecting candidates created an enormous impact and led the party  to its landslide victory. The latter is a favorite phrase of President Takafumi Horie of Livedoor, who appeared in the media in connection with the firm's attempt to acquire Fuji Television and who repeatedly used the phrase in interviews. "Hostile takeover" is also in the top 60, demonstrating that this year is a year in which corporate acquisition, hitherto considered to be "fire on the other side of the river", was occurring very close to home.

Although not many people expected it to happen when Mr. Koizumi took up the post of Prime Minister in 2000, his administration is, after all, becoming a long-term administration, likely to last until the very end of its term in September 2006. It was awarded the grand prize for the most popular words and phrases because its political tactics - the shuffling of cabinet members and maneuvers calculated to find favor with the media - are as conspicuously skillful as ever. Yet it remains uncertain how much it can achieve administrative and financial reform and whether or not the current line will be passed on to the post-Koizumi administration.

The phrase "cool biz (business)," likewise coming from the Koizumi administration, is also ranked in the top 60. The government launched the "cool biz" campaign to encourage workers to dress casually, i.e. no jacket and tie, during the hot summer to help keep air-conditioner temperatures higher. This, in fact, had a considerable effect on electricity consumption and was a smash hit, bringing a breath of fresh air to Japan's corporate-centered society and governmental offices where people have always been obliged to dress formally.

Some words and phrases referred to in JLF also occurred among the top 60; they include "postal privatization," "asbestos" and "support for child-rearing." One wonders if such support for child-rearing will go well under the latest 5-Year "Assistance Plan for Children and Child Rearing", which started in fiscal year 2005 as a step to counter the drop in the number of births.

On the other hand, "women-only cars on trains" was also ranked in the top 60. A succession of railway companies have decided to put aside one car on each train exclusively for women during the morning and evening rush hours in order to deal with an increased number of gropers and sneak photo takers. The move was quite controversial and made one feel that Japan was becoming an unfamiliar country.

Stock prices have been picking up substantially towards the end of the year. Of the most popular words and phrases this year, some referred to the newly emerging "well-off" group.

Overall in 2005, the drop in the number of births, the tendency for unionization to decline, and the widening gap between rich and poor have all continued, leaving ongoing problems, including the crisis of the social security system, unsolved.