LOANWORD

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.

Portland, Oregon, is known for its eco-friendly lifestyle and unique culture. Yet, in Japanese, the city is only written in katakana, with no fixed kanji representation. This article explains the reason behind this and presents how Japanese people envision Portland.

While New York once appeared as “紐育” and London as “倫敦,” Nashville never developed such kanji usage. Instead, it remains firmly katakana: “ナッシュビル.” To Japanese people, this lack of kanji does not reduce its significance. Instead, the city is imagined through its vibrant music scene, its intellectual presence as a university town, and its dynamic sports culture. In Japanese perception, Nashville emerges as a warm Southern city where music, learning, and athletic passion coexist.

When Japanese people think of New Delhi, they picture a city of heritage, politics, and energy. Interestingly, the city can also be expressed in Chinese characters as “新德里,” meaning “a new land of virtue.” This article takes a closer look at this unique notation and highlights how Japanese visitors perceive New Delhi, focusing on its culture, climate, sports, and food traditions.

Unlike Sydney, a tourist hub, or Melbourne, a cultural city, Canberra gives Japanese people a different impression. It is seen as a quiet and orderly capital where sports and academia coexist, which makes it distinctive.

While El Paso is widely known in the U.S. as a city of culture, sports, and history, Japanese people often see it through a narrower lens. The city’s name is sometimes phonetically written as "埃爾巴索," yet in Japan, it is more associated with border security, immigration, and cross-cultural exchange than its vibrant everyday life.