Dogenkasentoikan
どげんせんといかん
"Something needs to be done"

At the top of the 2007 list was this phrase made famous by Miyazaki governor-elect Hideo Higashikokubaru. The former comedian headed into the election with no political backing, but won people over with a campaign speech delivered in the local Miyazaki dialect. He used the phrase "dogenkasentoikan" to describe how action was needed to end political stagnation.

Hanikami ouji
ハニカミ王子
"Bashful prince"

This is the nickname given to Ryo Ishikawa, the 15-year-old amateur golfer who was propelled into the sporting spotlight as the youngest-ever winner of a regular tournament on the Japanese tour. Ishikawa's modesty and good manners, increasingly a rarity among celebrities, have won him countless fans.

Dondake
どんだけぇー
"Really?", "No way!", "As if!"

This versatile phrase expresses disbelief or surprise. Originating in the gay community of Shinjuku, a district of Tokyo, it is a famous catch-cry of transvestite TV personality Ikko. It is meant to be said with rising intonation and a touch of sarcasm.

Netcafe nammin
ネットカフェなんみん
"Netcafe refugee"

This term was popular with the Japanese media to describe the thousands of day-labourers in Japan who stay the night in 24-hour internet cafes. An official complaint from the Japan Complex Cafe Association protesting the use of the term to describe their "important customers" has only made it more popular.

Oo-gui
おおぐい
"Mega meal"

The past year saw a range of super-sized and calorific foods - including cup noodles, pudding, ice cream and burgers - appear one after the other on the Japanese market. The trend is apparently a reaction against the recent obsession with health foods and products.