LOANWORD

In Japan, Cairo has been written in kanji as either “改羅” or “開羅,” both serving as creative attempts to capture its sound in the Japanese language. Yet the fascination with Cairo goes far beyond written form. For many Japanese, Cairo is a city of contrasts—ancient yet modern, chaotic yet captivating, offering a cultural richness that continues to inspire.

The name Omaha comes from the indigenous Omaha Tribe, making it a word deeply rooted in Native American history. In Japan, Omaha is recognized not through kanji, but through katakana notation, which reflects both respect for its cultural background and practical usage. This article highlights Omaha’s history, economy, and its reputation as a sports city.

In Japanese media, Colombia often appears in stories about security or drug-related issues. As a result, Bogotá, its capital, is frequently seen through a narrow lens. Yet Bogotá is also a hub of art, sports, and academic life, and even its name has a unique representation in Chinese characters as “波哥大.” This combination of images shows how language and perception shape Japan’s understanding of the city.

In Japan, Atlanta is best known as the host of the 1996 Summer Olympics, where Japanese athletes achieved remarkable performances. Beyond the Olympics, Atlanta is seen as a city with rich history, strong business presence, and diverse cultural attractions, while its old kanji transcription “亜特蘭大” adds a fascinating linguistic layer to its image.

For Japanese people, Mesa is more than just a city name; it is a word that conjures the grandeur of the American Southwest and the excitement of baseball and basketball. The lack of Kanji makes it unique in Japanese writing, emphasizing its exotic sound and reinforcing the cultural images attached to it.

While Santiago is widely recognized as a major South American city, its written form in Kanji can be confusing. Some may come across the Chinese form “聖地亞哥”, but Japanese convention relies on Katakana. Beyond spelling, this article highlights the images and impressions Japanese people associate with Santiago—from its natural beauty to its passionate soccer culture.

Lima, Peru’s largest city, is both the gateway to South American tourism and a city with deep ties to the Japanese-Peruvian community. However, in Japanese it is written only in katakana as “リマ,” with no kanji representation. This article discusses the reasons behind its written form and how Japanese people perceive Lima.

While Chinese uses the characters “阿拉伯” for the Arab world, Japanese writing avoids such notation for Dubai. Instead, “Dubai” is consistently expressed in katakana, prioritizing clarity and readability. This practice highlights how Japanese people tend to frame the city: not through tradition or characters, but through the lens of modern luxury and exotic appeal.

Kansas City is known as a hub for music and sports, yet in Japanese it is consistently written in katakana. No kanji substitute exists, and it is often clarified by adding the state name. This article explains the background of its notation and highlights the diverse images Japanese people associate with the city.

In Japan, cities like New York and Los Angeles are often adapted into Kanji for easier recognition, but Fresno is different. The lack of a Kanji representation reflects its lower cultural exposure in Japan, yet Japanese people still form impressions based on agriculture, education, and its role in California’s history.