Japan actually has two primary unlucky numbers: 4 and 9.
Here's why:
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The Number 4: The number 4 is considered unlucky because its Japanese pronunciation, shi, is homophonous with the word for "death" (死). This association makes it undesirable in various contexts.
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The Number 9: Similarly, the number 9 is considered unlucky because its Japanese pronunciation, ku, is homophonous with the word for "suffering" or "agony" (苦).
This aversion manifests in various ways in Japanese culture:
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Building Design: Hospitals and some hotels often omit the 4th floor. You may also find that room numbers containing the number 4 (e.g., room 4, rooms 40-49) are avoided.
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Gifts: Avoid giving gifts in sets of four.
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Other Contexts: Generally, Japanese people try to avoid using these numbers where possible, especially in important or sensitive situations. While less common than avoiding 4, avoidance of 9 also occurs.
Therefore, both 4 and 9 are considered unlucky in Japan due to their phonetic association with death and suffering, respectively.
