1. Introduction
Japan is a country located in East Asia that has a long and fascinating history. It is well known for its traditional culture, art, and cuisine as well as its modern technology and economy. The name of the country is often referred to as Japan, but it was not always so. In this article, we will explore the history behind the name Japan and why it has become the preferred term instead of Nippon.
2. History of Japan’s Name
The origin of the name Japan can be traced back to ancient Chinese texts from the 3rd century BC that refer to Japanese islands as Wa-Koku or “distant country”. Over time, this evolved into Nihon or Nippon which translates to “origin of the sun” in Japanese. This term was used by the Japanese people to refer to their country until the 19th century when it began to be replaced by Japan.
3. Nippon: Origins and Meaning
Nippon is derived from two characters in Chinese writing – 日 (ni) meaning “sun” and 本 (hon) meaning “origin”. Together they form a compound word which literally translates to “origin of the sun” – an apt description for a nation located east of mainland Asia where the sun rises first each day. According to legend, Emperor Jimmu Tenno used this phrase when he founded Japan in 660 BC, making it one of the oldest names for any nation in existence today.
4. The Emergence of Japan as a Name
The name Japan began appearing in Western literature during the 16th century when Portuguese sailors arrived on Japanese shores with tales about an exotic land called Zipangu or Cipango (derived from Nippon). This was then modified into Japam by Dutch traders who had visited Nagasaki during this period before finally becoming known as Japan by English speakers around 1600 AD.
5. Japanese People Prefer to Call Their Country Japan
Today, while most native Japanese people still use both terms interchangeably, they tend to prefer calling their country “Japan” rather than “Nippon” due to its more international appeal and easier pronunciation for non-Japanese speakers. As such, you will usually hear “Japan” being used more often than “Nippon” both domestically and abroad when referring to this unique nation in East Asia.
6 International Usage of Japan vs Nippon
The usage of “Japan” versus “Nippon” varies depending on context and geography; however, most international organizations such as The United Nations and The International Olympic Committee use “Japan” exclusively when referring to this nation due its more widespread recognition among non-Japanese speakers worldwide.
7 Why Do We Say Japan Instead of Nippon?
In conclusion, we say “Japan” instead of “Nippon” because it has become a widely accepted term among English speakers over time due its easier pronunciation compared with its original form – Nihon/Nippon – which literally translates into English as “origin of the sun”. Furthermore, native Japanese people prefer using ‘Japan’ over ‘Nippon’ due its more international appeal and recognition worldwide amongst non-Japanese speakers alike.
8 Conclusion
To sum up, we say “Japan” instead of “Nippon” because it has become a widely accepted term amongst English speakers due its easier pronunciation compared with its original form – Nihon/Nippon – which literally translates into English as “origin of the sun”. Additionally, native Japanese people prefer using ‘Japan’ over ‘Nippon’ due its more international appeal and recognition worldwide amongst non-Japanese speakers alike.
9 References
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Tokoyama C., (2020). Why do we say Japan instead of Nippon? [Online]. Available at: https://www.japaninsidersblog.com/why-do-we-say-japan-instead-of-nipp
Why did Nippon change to Japan?
Some say that the Japanese ambassadors in China did not like it and asked for the name to be changed; Some say that Wu Zetian ordered the Japanese to change the name.
Why Japan is called Japan not Nippon?
The origin of the name Japan is uncertain but researchers say it could come from the Malay ″Japung″ or from the Chinese Riben which roughly means Land of the Rising Sun. Historians state that the Japanese called their country Yamato early in history and began using Nippon around the 7th century.
Do people still call Japan Nippon?
The modern official name of the country in English is simply Japan which is one of the few countries that does not have a long name. The official Japanese name Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku (日本国) is literally the land of Japan.
Do Japanese call themselves Nippon?
Photo: iStock/andresr The official origin of the name Wagoku has not been confirmed. While the Japanese today commonly refer to their country as Nihon or Nippon early writings used the names Oyashima (Thai Island) or Yamato (which is written with capitalized Chinese characters and see below).
What did China call Japan?
Prior to Japan being officially used Japan was known as Wa (倭) or Wa (倭國). Wa was a name used in early China to refer to an ethnic group that lived in Japan during the Three Kingdoms period.
What is the difference between Nippon and Japan?
It doesnt matter if Japan is the name in English and Nippon or more commonly Nihon is the name of the country in Japanese.
