LOANWORD

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.

Fresno stands as a central city in California’s Central Valley, known for being one of the largest agricultural regions in the world. In Japanese, however, it is most commonly written simply as “フレズノ” in katakana, with no commonly accepted kanji usage. For many Japanese, Fresno is imagined as a land of farming, study opportunities, and a gateway to natural wonders.

Sydney is represented in Kanji by both “悉尼” and “雪梨,” each carrying different cultural implications. “悉尼” is closer to the sound of “Sydney,” while “雪梨” resonates with a romantic and symbolic imagery. To Japanese people, Sydney embodies dream travel, harmony with nature, and a vibrant sports culture, shaping a multifaceted admiration for the city.

Carrying the history of immigration and evolving as a center of economy and culture, São Paulo, known in Japanese as “聖市,” is seen by Japanese people as a symbol of effort and prosperity, and also as a partner city for the future.

For many Japanese, Karachi is a relatively unfamiliar city. As a result, its image is often shaped by media coverage and economic news rather than direct experience. Understanding these perceptions offers insights into how Japanese people view South Asia.

When Japanese people hear the name Tucson, many picture deserts and cacti. In reality, Tucson is a city where nature, tourism, academia, and sports intersect, creating a rich and diverse identity. This article covers everything from the background of its kanji rendering “吐森” to the perceptions Japanese people hold about the city.