Izanami: Words reflect the heart of the person who speaks them. In other words, the Japanese language expresses the heart of the Japanese people. Izanagi: The Japanese language was born from the idea that “coexistence with nature” is good. Izanami: If Japanese could be characterized in one word, it would be “the language of compassion.” Izanagi: For example, phrases unique to the Japanese language expressing compassion, such as “Otsukare sama” (thank you for your hard work), are used daily. Izanami: There are also many phrases that express consideration for the other party, such as “Osewa ni narimasu (Thank you for your help) ” and “Yoroshiku (onegai shimasu) / Best regards (please).” Izanagi: In addition to having its own unique phrases, the structure of the Japanese language itself contains the idea of compassion. One such example is that in Japanese, a sentence can be formed even if the subject is omitted. Izanami: For example, you do not have to say “I am” or “you are,” because the person to whom you are communicating will know. This makes it useful when you do not want to specify whose words are being used. Izanagi: The Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims in Hiroshima, where the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped, is inscribed with the following words. Rest in peace. [We] will not repeat our mistakes. Izanami: It is not stated whether it was the U.S. who dropped the bomb, Japan who started the war, the Japanese, the scientists who developed the bomb, or the U.S. government who had it built that caused the “mistake.” Izanagi: This “mistake” refers not to the actions of one individual or country, but to wars and the use of nuclear weapons committed by humanity as a whole. Izanami: Thus, in Japanese you can include what you are talking about without explicitly saying it as the subject. The speaker wants to allow the listener to understand the intention on their own. Izanagi: Japanese can be said to be a language that avoids conflict. It is said that Japanese tone has no inflection and is difficult to convey emotion, which is also thought to be connected to the spirit of harmony. Izanami: We also often hear foreigners say that they do not know what Japanese people are thinking because they do not speak clearly. However, it can be said that the Japanese use ambiguous expressions as a form of wisdom to avoid conflict. Izanagi: The Japanese language has a manner of speech called “keigo ,” which is used to address superiors. In Japanese society, which is based on consideration, order is maintained by clarifying the position of the other party and oneself. Izanami: “Aizuchi ,” (an interjection used to show that person is attentively listening or that they understand what is being said) which is often used in conversation among Japanese, is another custom unique to the Japanese language. Izanagi: As for aizuchi , some learners of Japanese say that it is annoying to be interrupted in every conversation. Izanami: However, aizuchi is also a way of saying “I’m listening” to everything the other person is saying, in other words, it is an expression of caring and consideration for the other person. Izanagi: The Japanese language also has a very large number of onomatopoeias representing various sounds. Izanami: Japanese people, who have coexisted with nature, heard the sounds of wind and water, birds and insects not as noise but as the voice and language of life. This is thought to have given rise to a wide variety of onomatopoeia. Izanagi: In Japan, it is said that there is a spirit of speech. Izanami: It refers to the spiritual power that words are said to possess, and it is said that what is said will happen exactly as it is said. The Japanese language is deeply related to the Japanese spirit of coexistence with nature. ( From March issue, 2023 / 2023年3月号より）