Abstract
The Japanese language ranks ninth worldwide by number of L1 speakers and is used mainly by speakers within Japan. It is rich in regional and social variation. Standard Japanese (hyōjungo) was formed after the Meiji Restoration along with kokugo ‘national language’ and nihongo ‘Japanese language’. The alternative concept of a ‘common language’, kyōtsūgo was introduced after World War II for interdialectal communication. This variety is subject to considerable social differentiation. Gender differences in Japanese do not necessarily coincide with the traditionally accepted norm. There is wide variation among speakers within each gender group. A discrepancy between prescriptive ideology and actual language practice is evident among the younger generation. The distinction between bungo ‘literary language’ and kōgo ‘colloquial or vernacular language’ has narrowed. The number and standardization of kanji remains the central and controversial issue of language policy in Japan.
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