Why do we say Japan instead of Nippon?

What did China call Japan?

This article explores the different names that China has used to refer to Japan throughout history, from "dwarf" to "sun origin" to "Japanese devils." The names reflect changes in political and cultural relations between the two countries and how China perceived Japan. Today, while there are still tensions between the two countries, they also have important opportunities for cooperation and mutual understanding.

Question about Japan

Why do we say Japan instead of Nippon?

This article explores the history behind the name Japan and why it has become the preferred term over Nippon. The origin of the name can be traced back to ancient Chinese texts from the 3rd century BC that refer to Japanese islands as Wa-Koku or "distant country". Nippon is derived from two characters in Chinese writing - 日 (ni) meaning "sun" and 本 (hon) meaning "origin" which translates to “origin of the sun”. Over time, this evolved into Japam by Dutch traders before finally becoming known as Japan by English speakers around 1600 AD. Today, while most native Japanese people still use both terms interchangeably, they tend to prefer calling their country “Japan” due to its more international appeal and easier pronunciation for non-Japanese speakers.