"One Team," the mantra for the Japan national rugby team that made the World Cup knockout phase for the first time, has been selected as the country's top buzzword for this year, the award's organizer said Monday.
The Brave Blossoms won the hearts of many during the first tournament held in Asia, winning all four games -- including against heavyweights Ireland and Scotland -- to top Pool A before going out to eventual winners South Africa in the quarterfinals.
The phrase "One Team" encapsulated a side that had players and coaches born in different countries, some with and some without a Japanese passport, united in their drive to attain their target of a place in the top eight, according to the organizer, publishing house Jiyukokuminsha.
"We've managed to get the result thanks to your earnest support," said Japan Rugby Football Union President Shigetaka Mori at an award ceremony. "We'll do as much as we can (in the rugby sevens event at next year's Tokyo Olympics) and will get a better outcome than this time (at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France)."
"Smiling Cinderella" and "Shibuko," both nicknames for golf's Women's British Open champion Hinako Shibuno, was another entrant from the sporting sphere.
Other top 10 buzzwords included the name of the new Japanese era, "Reiwa," "keikaku unkyu," or planned suspension for trains in preparation for approaching typhoons and "tapiru," a verb meaning to drink a tapioca beverage amid the bubble tea fad.
"Keigen zeiritsu," the reduced tax rate for food and other daily items exempt from the consumption tax rate hike in October, and "xx Pay" for a variety of smartphone payments also made the list.
Online movement "#KuToo" -- an amalgam of "#MeToo" and the Japanese words for shoes, "kutsu," and pain, "kutsuu" -- against the forced wearing of high heels by women in the workplace was also included.
"Everyone who participated in the movement is a recipient," said Yumi Ishikawa, 32, the creator of the #KuToo movement. "I hope our society becomes one that doesn't need this kind of movement."
A sharp rise in deadly car accidents caused by elderly drivers saw "menkyo hennou," or the voluntary returning of driving licenses, in the list alongside "yami eigyo," which refers to off-the-books entertainment work that comedians were penalized for after attending parties related to purported crime groups.
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