LOANWORD

While most Japanese know Oklahoma City through its katakana name, its less familiar kanji form “俄克拉何馬” reflects a cultural bridge between East Asia and the United States. Today, Japanese perceptions of the city are shaped by its natural landscapes, the risks of tornadoes, and the global recognition of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For the Japanese, Vienna is more than just a European capital—it is a symbol of art, music, and elegance. Once written as “維納,” the city’s name carried with it an aura of grandeur and timeless tradition. From classical composers to modern sports events, Vienna embodies a city that the Japanese continue to view with fascination and reverence.

For Japanese travelers, Amsterdam represents a city of many layers: canals, museums, bicycles, and sports. Its Kanji name, “阿特堤”, reflects not only phonetics but also the essence of the city’s history. By looking at this rare representation, we can better understand why Japanese people imagine Amsterdam as a place of creativity, vitality, and openness.

In Japanese, the city of Bern is almost exclusively referred to in katakana as “ベルン,” while in Chinese it appears as “伯恩.” These variations highlight how language shapes perception. For Japanese people, Bern is not just a capital city—it is a symbol of timeless European heritage, a hub of international culture, and a center of sports enthusiasm.

Stockholm, often called the “City of Water,” is admired not only for its beauty but also for its role as a center of culture, sustainability, and sports. In Japan, while historical kanji transcriptions exist, katakana is now the standard. This linguistic shift mirrors how Japanese people perceive the city: modern, sophisticated, and future-oriented.

The use of Kanji for foreign cities was once common in Japanese publications, and Madrid became known as “馬徳里.” Beyond being a phonetic transcription, it offers a window into how Japan historically perceived the world. Today, Madrid symbolizes soccer excellence, artistic grandeur, and lively traditions in the minds of Japanese people.

The Chinese rendering of Moscow as “莫斯科” reflects a system where characters are selected for their sounds rather than meanings. This phenomenon highlights the cultural differences between languages and how they capture foreign identities. For Japanese audiences, Moscow embodies layers of history, art, modern urban development, and international sports significance.

In Japanese writing, Boston can appear as “波士敦” or “波士頓,” both rooted in phonetic transcription. Beyond the script, however, the city resonates with Japanese people as a symbol of prestigious universities, revolutionary history, and world-class sports. Boston is perceived not just as an American city, but as a place of global cultural significance.

For many Japanese, Washington, D.C. is perceived as a city of politics and history, rather than entertainment and glamour. Known in Kanji as "華盛頓" and sometimes referred to as "華府", the city represents a symbol of governance, learning, and cultural depth. At the same time, it is also a sports hub that connects people through shared passion and pride.

Known globally as a cultural and historical hub, Kolkata has a unique position in Japan’s imagination. While Chinese uses the transcription “加爾各答,” in Japanese the city is almost always written as コルカタ. Beyond its name, Kolkata evokes images of colonial heritage, Tagore’s literature, Mother Teresa’s humanitarian work, and passionate sports culture, shaping a city seen through many lenses by Japanese people.