Japanese Loanwords in English

Japan is a fascinating country that has always absorbed technologies, arts and customs from abroad (first China, then the West), yet transforming it into something distinctively their own. There are a lot of Japanese loanwords, but I selected the following with the criterium that they are also used outside of Japanese contexts. Note that many of the words were in turn borrowed from Chinese.
Thumbnail: the "Metropolitan Symbol" of Tokyo, source.

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Last updated: July 4, 2025

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First submitted	July 4, 2025
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Average score	54.5%
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Answer

Another word for a business mogul, for example in the video game Rollercoaster ___.

tycoon

A type of tree native to China but grown all over the world, with distinctive two lobed leaves, see thumbnail. It has changed little since the time of the dinosaurs. Also known as the maidenhair tree.

ginkgo

The Japanese persimmon, a fruit with an orange color.

kaki

Fermented tea which can be made at home. Somewhat of a health fad.

kombucha

Breadcrumbs used for deepfried foods. The first syllable is derived from Portuguese.

panko

A carriage pulled by a man.

rickshaw

A type of bean with a high protein content. In the West mostly used as fodder, but in East Asia eaten as a vegetable and made in a savory brown sauce, among other things.

soy

Also known as "bean curd", a white and protein rich food product made from the above.

tofu

A very large and destructive wave caused by earthquakes.

tsunami

A word for word translation form Japanese for anything eerie between human and non-human.

uncanny valley

A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism. In English, associated with relaxation.

zen

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