Yes, the number 4 is considered unlucky in Japan.
This belief stems from the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) pronunciation of 4, which is "shi." This pronunciation is identical to the Japanese word for death (死, also "shi"). This homophony makes the number 4 associated with misfortune and death in Japanese culture.
Implications of the Number 4 Being Unlucky
- Avoidance in hospitals and hotels: Similar to avoiding the number 13 in Western cultures, you might find that rooms or floors numbered "4" (and sometimes even "40-49") are absent in hospitals and hotels. This is done to avoid negative associations with illness and mortality.
- Alternatives to "shi": In some situations, the native Japanese pronunciation of 4, "yon," is preferred to avoid the unlucky connotation.
- Gift-giving considerations: When giving gifts, especially in sets, it's wise to avoid giving four of something due to its association with death.
- General superstition: While not everyone is intensely superstitious, many Japanese people are at least aware of the association and might subconsciously avoid using the number 4 in certain contexts.
Therefore, the cultural association of the number 4 with death in Japan makes it widely considered an unlucky number.
