Acronyms, contractions and abbreviations in Japanese

Acronyms, contractions, acronyms and abbreviations are part of our lives, thinking about it, in this article we are going to talk about the acronyms used in Japan. Both acronyms using Roman letters and the abbreviations that use Japanese ideograms.

The Japanese love to abbreviate words, during a conversation it is already common to eat some parts of the sentence. There are thousands of word abbreviations. Generally names of industries, groups and terminologies are contractions or abbreviations.

Contractions and abbreviations in the Japanese language

Words in Japanese are written with characters that represent syllables (morae), instead of phonemes as in English. Traditionally when a word or phrase is abbreviated, it usually preserves a few syllables and is easily recognizable.

In some cases, the abbreviated word uses a different reading of the ideograms that make up the word. Sometimes ideograms of the first and second words are used to form one. as in the case of Tokyo Daigaku [東京大学] turn all [東大].

If you go to jisho.org and search using the tag #abbr; you will come across several words that also serve as abbreviations of phrases or other more complex and specific words. The Japanese really love to abbreviate words.

Responsive Table: Scroll the table to the side with your finger >>

Contraction	Kanji	Word	Full Kanji	Meaning/Notes
akiba	秋葉	akihabara	秋葉原	Tokyo Otaku District
bukatsu	部活	bukatsudo	部活動	after-school club (extracurricular) activity
denwa	電話	keitaidenwa	携帯電話	cell phone
keitai	携帯	keitaidenwa	携帯電話	mobile phone
kōkō	高校	kōtōgakkō	高等学校	high school
kokuren	国連	Kokusai Rengō	国際連合	The United Nations
makku	マック	makudonarudo	マクドナルド	Mc. Donald
mukku	ムック	magazine + book	マガジン + ブック	A mix of magazine and book
nikkei	日経	Nihon Keizai Shinbun	日本経済新聞	Japan Economic Times
nodai	農大	Tōkyō Nōgyō Daigaku	東京農業大学	Agricultural University of Tokyo
nyūkan	入管	Nyūkoku Kanrikyoku	入国管理局	Immigration Office
odakyū	小田急	Odawara Kyūkō Dentetsu	小田原急行電鉄	Odawara Express Electric Railway (Odakyū Electric Railway)
wave	音大	ongaku daigaku	音楽大学	music university
pokemon	ポケモン	poketto monsuta	ポケットモンスター	The well-known video game and animation franchise.
purikura	プリクラ	pure kurabu	プリントクラブ	A Print Club automated camera
shāshin	シャー芯	shāpupen no shin	シャープペンの芯	lead from a pencil
sutaba	スタバ	sutaabakkusu	スターバックス	Starbucks
tocho	都庁	Tokyo-to Chosha	東京都庁舎	Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Todai	東大	Tokyo Daigaku	東京大学	University of Tokyo

Loans from other languages in Japanese

As mentioned, it is very common to abbreviate words, especially when they are borrowed from other languages. For example, the animated series Pretty Cure marketed itself under the abbreviated four-character name purikyua [プリキュア].

Responsive Table: Scroll the table to the side with your finger >>

Meaning/Notes	Contraction	Japanese	whole word	Japanese (whole)
animation	anime	アニメ	animēshon	アニメーション
air conditioning	eak	エアコン	and the kondishona	エアコンディショナー
computer	pasokon	パソコン	pāsonaru konpyūtā	パーソナルコンピューター
Remote Control	rimokon	リモコン	rimōto kontorōrā	リモートコントローラー
digital cameras	dejikame	デジカメ	dejitaru kamera	デジタルカメラ
email address	mid	メアド	meeruadoresu	メールアドレス
family computer (Nintendo)	famikon	ファミコン	famirī konpyūtā	ファミリーコンピューター
football/soccer	amefute	アメフト	amerikan futtoboru	アメリカン・フットボール
love hotel (love hotel)	rabuho	ラブホ	rabu hoteru	ラブホテル
convenience store	konbini	コンビニ	konbiniensu sutoa	コンビニエンス・ストア
Department store	department	デパート	sutoa department	デパートメント・ストア
professional wrestling	puroresu	プロレス	purofesshonaru resuringu	プロフェッショナル・レスリング
family restaurant	famiresu	ファミレス	famirī resutoran	ファミリーレストラン
sandwich	walking	サンド	sandouichi	サンドウィッチ

Japanese Acronyms and Abbreviations with Roman letters

The Japanese also use roman letters in everyday life. Many of the acronyms for places, informatics and organs have their acronym with roman letters. See below for a complete list of Japanese acronyms, acronyms and abbreviations with our letters:

Responsive Table: Scroll the table to the side with your finger >>

Initials	Meaning	Description
3P	3 people Japanese slang for threesome
ABC	Asahi Broadcasting Corporation.
ADV	Adventure game (AVG)	adventure game
AIST	National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.	National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
AJJ	Anthropology of Japan in Japan.	Anthropology of Japan in Japan.
A-N-A	All Nippon Airways.
APU	Ritsumeikan Asian Pacific University.	Ritsumeikan University of Asia Pacific.
AU	Mobile phone branch of KDDI.	Mobile branch of KDDI.
AV	Adult Video.	adult video
AV	audio-visual	audio-visual
YY	Atama Yowai	Weak head, ineptitude, malice and senselessness
BGM	Background Music.	Background music.
kisses	Basketball Japan
BL	boys love
BOJ	Bank of Japan.	Bank of Japan.
BS	Broadcast Satellite (Direct-broadcast satellite; also a prefix for BS stations)
CDEX	Center for Deep Earth Research.	Deep Earth Research Center.
CEATEC	Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies.	Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies.
Chuden	Chubu Electric Power Company.	Chubu Electric Power Company.
CiRA	Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University.	iPS Cell Research and Application Center, Kyoto University.
CL	Central League (baseball).	Central League (baseball).
CM	Commercial Message.	Commercial message.
CRIEPI	Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry.	Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry.
CS	Communication Satellite	communication satellite
CTV	Chukyo Television Broadcasting.	Chukyo television broadcast.
CV	Character Voice.	Character voice (voice actor).
DBJ	Development Bank of Japan.	Japan Development Bank.
DPJ	Democratic Party of Japan.	Japan Democratic Party.
DT	dotei [童貞]	Virgin
DV	domestic violence	Domestic violence
ED	Ending	Anime or series ending
ETC	Electronic Toll Collection.	Electronic toll collection.
EV	elevator	elevator
FAITH	Fuji Electric.
FNN	Fuji News Network (TV)	Fuji News Network (TV)
FSJ	Folklore Society of Japan.	Japan Folklore Society.
GEOS	Global Education Opportunities and Services
GFJ	Goods From Japan.	Goods from Japan.
GS	Gasoline Stand.	Gasoline support.
GSI	Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.	Japan Geospatial Information Authority.
GSJ	Geological Survey of Japan.	Geological Survey of Japan.
GW	golden week	Japanese holiday
H	Hentai / Ecchi	It means obscene and erotic
HAT Kobe	Happy Active Town Kobe.
HI	Japan travel agency.	Japan travel agency.
HP	home page	home page (website)
IC card		contactless smart card
ICOCA	IC Operating Card.	IC operation card.
CDI	International Digital Communications.	International Digital Communications.
IdcN	International Design Center Nagoya (IdcN).	International Design Center Nagoya (IdcN).
ALREADY	Japan Agricultural Cooperatives.	Acronym for Agricultural Cooperatives of Japan.
JABI	Japan American Business Initiatives.	American business initiatives in Japan.
JAC	Japan Air Commuter, a subsidiary of JAL.
JACET	Japan Association of College English Teachers.	Japanese Association of Teachers of English for University Students.
ALREADY	Japan Adult Expo.	Expo for adults in Japan.
ALREADY	Japan Aviation Electronics.	Japan Electronic Aviation.
JAEA	Japan Atomic Energy Agency.	Japan Atomic Energy Agency.
JAF	Japan Automobile Federation.	Japan Automobile Federation.
JAFRA	Japan Association For Railway Advertising.	Japan Railway Advertising Association.
JAIA	Japan Automobile Importers Association.	Japan Auto Importers Association.
JAL	Japan Airlines.	Japan Airlines.
JALT	Japan Association of Language Teachers.	Japanese Association of Language Teachers.
JAMA	Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.	Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.
JAMSTEC	Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.	Japan Agency for Land-Marine Science and Technology.
JARE	Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.	Japanese Research Expedition in Antarctica.
JASCA	Japanese Society of Cultural Anthropology.	Japanese Society of Cultural Anthropology.
JASDF	Japan Air Self-Defense Force.	Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
JASSO	Japan Student Services Organization.	Japan Student Services Organization.
JAWS	Japan Anthropology Workshop.	Workshop on Anthropology of Japan.
JAXA	Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.	Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
JAZA	Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.	Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
JBIC	Japan Bank for International Cooperation.	Bank of Japan for International Cooperation.
JC	joshi chūgakusei [女子中学生]	high school student
JCP	Japan Communist Party.	Communist Party of Japan.
JESCO	Japan Environment Safety Corporation	Japan Environmental Security Corporation
JET	Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program.	Japan Exchange and Education Program (JET).
JETAA	JET Alumni Association.	JET Alumni Association.
JETRO	Japan External Trade Organization.	Japan Foreign Trade Organization.
JFA	Japan Football Association.	Japan Soccer Association.
JFC	Japan Finance Corporation.	Japan Finance Corporation.
GBP	Japanese Government Bonds.	Japanese government bonds.
JH	Japan Highway Public Corporation.
JK	Josei Kosei	High school student associated with “paid dating” and child prostitution industry
JK	jōshikiteki ni kangaete [常識的に考えて]	Internet slang meaning “think logically”
JLCFSA	Japan Long Course Ferry Service Association..
JLPT	Japan Language Proficiency Test.	Japan Language Proficiency Test.
JMA	Japan Medical Association.	Japan Medical Association.
TOGETHER	Japan National Tourist Organization.	Japan National Tourism Organization.
JP	Japan Post.	Japan Post.
JP or (JPN)	Japan	Universal acronyms of the country
JPY	Japanese yen to japan currency.
JR	Japan Railways.	Japan Railways.
JRA	Japan Racing Association.	Japan Racing Association.
JRC	Japan Red Cross.	Japan Red Cross.
JSC	Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.	Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science.
JSC	Japan Sports Council.	Japan Sports Council.
JSDF	Japan Self-Defense Forces	Japan Self-Defense Forces (another acronym SDF)
JT	Japan Tobacco.	Japanese tobacco
JTB	Japan Travel Bureau.	Japan travel agency.
JTUC	Japanese Trade Union Confederation.	Japanese Trade Union Confederation.
JUCE	Japan Universities Association for Computer Education.	Japan University Association for Computer Education.
JVC	Victor electronics.
JYHA	Japan Youth Hostel Association.	Japan Youth Hostel Association.
KDDI	Japanese telecommunications company.	Japanese telecommunications company.
Keidanren	Japan Federation of Economic Organizations.	Federation of Economic Organizations of Japan.
KEPCO	Kansai Electric Power Company.	Kansai Electric Power Company.
KIX	Kansai International Airport.	Kansai International Airport.
KK	Kabushiki Kaisha company, firm.	Kabushiki Kaisha company, company.
KY	kūki yomenai [空気読めない]	unable to read the air; refers to someone who cannot read a social situation.
Kyuuden	Kyushu Electric Power Company.	Kyushu Electric Power Company.
LDK	Living Dining Kitchen	Dining room; type of house where the kitchen is merged with the living room
LDP	the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan	the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan
LO	Last Order.	Last wish.
M	masochism
MC	Master of Ceremonies	Master of ceremonies
METI	Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry.	Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Industry.
MEXT	Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology.	Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
MHFG	Mizuho Financial Group.	Mizuho Financial Group.
MIC	Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.	Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
MITI	Ministry of International Trade & Industry (now known as METI).	Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now known as MEI).
MLIT	Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
MRI	Mitsubishi Research Institute.
MUFG	Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
MV	music video	music video
N'EX	Narita Express train.	Narita express train.
N'EX	Narita Express
NOJ	National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
NEC	Nippon Electric Company.
NFAJ	National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ), which was formerly the National Film Center (NFC); Read more on NFAJ.
NG	no good
NGK	Nagoya-based spark plug company.
NHK	(Nihon Hohsoh Kyokai) Japan's state TV & radio broadcaster.
NHK	Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai [日本放送協会]
NII	National Institute of Informatics.	National Institute of Informatics.
Nikkanren	Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association.
Nikkeiren	Japan Federation of Employers' Associations.
NJS	Nihon Jitensha Shinkōkai	日本自転車振興会
NKP	New Komeito Party.
NME	National Museum of Ethnology.
NNN	Nippon News Network.
NPA	National Police Agency.
NPB	Nippon Professional Baseball.
NRU	National Railway Workers' Union (“Kokuro”).
NSK	Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha.
NTA	National Tax Agency.
NTT	Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation.
OA	office automation
OB	old boy	old man (former student), club member, teammate, employee, etc.
OG	old girl	old lady (former student), club member, teammate, employee, etc.
OL	office lady	office lady (a worker)
OMG	Oh meu deus!
OP	opening	Anime and drama opening
OPAM	Oita Prefectural Art Museum Read more on the Oita Prefectural Art Museum
THE V	original sound version (video game soundtrack)	video game soundtrack
OVA	original video animation	original video animation (also uses acronym OAV)
PL	Pacific League (baseball).	Pacific League (baseball).
PL Kyodan	Church of Perfect Liberty.	Church of Perfect Liberty.
PS	police station	Police station
PSJ	Photographic Society of Japan.	Japan Photographic Society.
PSJ	Primate Society of Japan	Japan Primate Society
PV	promotional video	promotional video (usually music)
RPG	role-playing game	RPG games
s	sadism	sadism
SCJ	Science Council of Japan.	Japan Science Council.
SD	super deformed (super deformed)	super warped (super warped)
SDF	Self Defense Forces. Japan's de-facto armed forces.	Self-defense forces. Japan's De facto Armed Forces.
SDP	Social Democratic Party.	Social Democratic Party.
SEALDs	Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy.	Student Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy.
SL	Steam Locomotive.	Steam train.
SMBC	Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
SMFG	Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.	Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.
SNS	Social networking service, social website	Social networking service, social website
SS	service station	service station
STG	shooting game	shooting game
SWITZERLAND	Super Urban Intelligence Card.	Super Urban Intelligence Card.
TCAT	Tokyo City Air Terminal.	Tokyo City Air Terminal.
TEPCO	Tokyo Electric Power Company.	Tokyo Electric Power Company.
ICT	Tourist Information Center.	Tourist Information Center.
TKSC	Tsukuba Space Center.	Tsukuba Space Center.
TPO	Time, Place, Occasion	Time, Place, Occasion
TQB	tei kyū bi [定休日]	Regular holiday or fixed day off
TSE	Tokyo Stock Exchange.	Tokyo Stock Exchange.
TUC	Tokyo Union Circulation	A union made up of many ex-cops involved in the pachinko industry.
TUJ	Temple University Japan.
TVO	TV Osaka.
UCC	Ueshima Coffee Company.	Ueshima Coffee Company.
ONE	unidentified mysterious animal	Coined in connection with unidentified flying object
GV	video game
VTR	video tele-replay	Displaying pre-recorded images
w	warau [笑う]	laugh out loud
WFC	World Friendship Center in Hiroshima.	World Friendship Center in Hiroshima.
YCAT	Yokohama City Air Terminal.	Yokohama City Air Terminal.
Zennoren	All-Japan Federation of Management Organization.	Japan Federation of Management Organization.

Videos about Japanese Abbreviations

To finish the article, let's leave some videos about abbreviations, acronyms and contractions in the Japanese language: