On December 1, the Top Ten of the “2025 T&D Life Group New Words and Trendy Words Awards,” a selection of words reflecting the current affairs of the world this year, was announced.
The annual grand prize went to “I will work and work and work,” which Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said shortly after being elected LDP president in October of this year. This is the first annual grand prize for a political term in eight years, since “discovery” in 2017.
Other top ten and nominated words are as follows.
National Treasure, Trump Tariffs, and More Make Top Ten
Echoehoehoe: meme by multi-artist Mai Ujita, X (formerly Twitter) account name Uoza.
Old Media: Accompanying the commentary that newspapers and television are now unnecessary “old media.
Emergency Gun Hunting/Bear Damage: On October 15, 2025, the nation’s first emergency gun hunting bear removal took place in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. As of the end of October, 196 people have been injured by bears since April of this year. This is the second highest number after 219 in 2023, when bears appeared abnormally and 18 OSOs were exterminated.
National Treasure (Watched): Released on June 6, 2025, the film drew 12.31 million viewers and grossed over 17.37 billion yen at the box office, making it the number one Japanese live-action film at the box office.
Kooko-Mai: The 2021 crop of stockpiled rice, Kooko-Mai, was said by the leader of the opposition party to be “food for animals in one year. The name of the rice changes each time a year passes, from “old rice” to “old rice” to “old rice……”.
80 years after the war/100 years of the Showa era: The year 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, which began in December 1926. The year 2025 will also mark the 80th anniversary of the “postwar period,” which began with the end of the war in August 1945.
Trump tariffs: On January 20, 2025, the second Trump administration will take office. The tariffs that were put into effect as a result of this.
Two Seasons: This year was marked by the realization that spring and fall have become less present. This two-season phenomenon was scientifically revealed from observational data by a research group led by Professor Yoshihiro Tachibana of Mie University, who found that over the 42 years from 1982 to 2023, the summer period in Japan has become about three weeks longer, while spring and fall have become shorter.
Myakmyak: The official character of the 2025 Japan International Exposition. The Osaka-Kansai Expo, which was not well received by the public, has seen a steady increase in the number of visitors since its opening. Myakmyak’s popularity has also been on a steady rise. Crowds gathered around the stuffed animals, and related goods sold like hotcakes.
Other nominees included Chappie, Hyoroku, Freelance Protection Act, Hotarane, Lovebu, Onkaji, Papal Election, July 5, Diploma 19.2 seconds, More than Choco Mint, Please Give Me Long Sleeves, Nuikatsu, Bijui Ippan, Prices High, Heisei Joshi, Maharayu, Yakuzen, and Recovery Wear. Heisei Jyoshi, Ma-tsu, Yaku-zen, and Recovery Wear.