"Bakugai(爆買い)," a Japanese phrase used to describe the shopping spree carried out by Chinese tourists in Japan is selected as one of the most memorable buzzwords in Japan on December 1, 2015. (Photo/Chinanews.com)
(ECNS) -- The Chinese are buying so much in Japan that the word bakugai (explosive shopping spree carried out by Chinese tourists) ranks first on the 2015 buzzword list.
The 2015 U-Can Shingo Ryukogo Taisho, or the U-Can New Words and Buzzwords Awards, was announced by Jiyukokuminsha publishing house. The words bakugai and toripuru suri (triple three achievements in baseball) jointly won the top honors.
At the award ceremony, Luo Yiwen, president of the Laox electronics store chain, said the word signals the fact that Japanese products are known for good quality.
Akihiko Tamura, commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency, said it's "delightful" that large amounts of tourists visit Japan and buy a lot. He added that Japan is devoted to attracting tourists to other areas as well.
Eight other winners of the award include two "political words" -- the passage of Security Bills and protests against it.