LOANWORD

While Brazil as a nation is familiar to Japanese people through soccer, coffee, and immigration, its capital, Brasília, remains far less known. With no established kanji name, Brasília carries an image of being a planned political city rather than a cultural or tourist hub.

In Japanese, Milwaukee has no kanji transcription and is represented exclusively in katakana. While less famous than cities like New York or Los Angeles, Milwaukee is remembered in Japan for its beer heritage and sports teams, especially the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. This dual identity gives the city a distinct presence in Japanese perception.

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is usually written in katakana in Japanese. Yet, few know that it can also be rendered as “倭塔瓦” in kanji. This article explains the background of this rare transcription and explores the images, attractions, and sports culture that shape Japanese perceptions of Ottawa.

Hanoi is more than just the capital of Vietnam—it is a city where history, culture, and daily life converge. Known in Kanji as "河内," symbolizing its riverside origins, it carries centuries of tradition. To Japanese people, Hanoi represents a blend of ancient dignity, culinary richness, and modern warmth, making it a uniquely familiar and welcoming destination.

Although Baltimore is internationally known as a historic port city, it is not widely recognized in Japan. Written in katakana rather than kanji, the city leaves Japanese people with a unique and sometimes complex impression, shaped by its sports culture, literary ties, and waterfront identity.

In Japan, Louisville is consistently written in katakana. While the absence of kanji notation makes it visually simple, the city carries rich associations in Japanese minds. Through the Kentucky Derby, bourbon traditions, and college basketball, Louisville becomes more than a name—it becomes an image of culture and energy.

In Japan, foreign city names are usually written phonetically in katakana, and Memphis is no exception. The absence of kanji highlights how foreign sounds are preserved in Japanese writing. For Japanese people, Memphis carries layered meanings—from Elvis Presley and blues music to the civil rights movement and NBA basketball.

When Japanese people encounter the Kanji “曼谷”, they may not immediately connect it with Bangkok. Yet, the city itself leaves a lasting impression. Japanese perceptions combine positive aspects such as affordability, rich cultural experiences, and welcoming people with challenges like traffic congestion and urban intensity, forming a balanced and realistic view of Bangkok.

The city of Jakarta has been known in Japan since the 16th century under the name "Jagatara." Later, it became widely written in Chinese characters as "雅加達." These different notations reveal not only historical exchanges but also how Japan has continuously shaped its image of the city, from the era of trade and letters to modern sports and business.

In Japanese, Detroit is expressed exclusively in katakana, without any official kanji form. This reflects Japan’s practice of adopting katakana for foreign place names. However, the city’s meaning extends beyond its writing. For Japanese, Detroit stands as an industrial landmark, a symbol of hardship, and a center of music and sports that continue to influence perceptions today.