The question of Japan's full or official name has different answers depending on the language. According to official information, the country does not have a designated "long form" name in English, but it does have a specific official name in Japanese.
Japan's Official Name
Based on official references, the full name of Japan is known differently in English and Japanese.
In English
In English, the contemporary official title for the country is simply "Japan". It is notable that Japan is one of the few countries globally that does not have a designated "long form" name in English.
In Japanese
The official name of the country in the Japanese language is 日本国. This is pronounced in two ways: Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku.
The literal translation of 日本国 into English is "State of Japan".
Key Takeaways
- English Name: Japan
- English Long Form: None
- Official Japanese Name: 日本国 (Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku)
- Literal English Translation of Japanese Name: State of Japan
While "State of Japan" is the literal translation of the official Japanese name, it is not used as the official long-form name in English. The standard and official English name remains "Japan".
Understanding the different contexts for the name is important. The Japanese name reflects the constitutional and historical designation, whereas the English name is the universally accepted short form used internationally.
