[January 2025] Current Affairs Quiz

Traditional sake brewing

In December 2024, traditional Japanese sake brewing was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This recognition reflects the value of techniques long embedded in Japanese culture, including those used for sake, shochu, and awamori.

United Kingdom

In December 2024, it was reported that the United Kingdom would formally join the TPP (the Trans-Pacific Partnership). This marks the UK’s participation in a major new trade agreement since leaving the EU.

Donkey Kong

This new area is themed after Nintendo’s popular title Donkey Kong. Featuring a mine cart ride action that’s quintessentially Donkey Kong, it has drawn attention as a new area where visitors can fully immerse themselves in the world of the series.

Yuma Kagiyama

Yuma Kagiyama placed third from 2019 to 2021 and finished second in 2023, but he has finally won the title. Shoma Uno, listed among the options, has retired, and Riku Nakata took second place.

Naomi Watanabe

Naomi Watanabe has gained popularity both in Japan and abroad and was selected for the BBC’s 100 Women in 2024. In addition to succeeding in Japan’s male-dominated comedy scene, she was credited with helping to change fixed ideas about women’s appearance and their roles in society. Incidentally, Yumi Suzuki is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits concerning the former Eugenic Protection Law, arguing that the law was unconstitutional.

gold

The kanji chosen for 2024’s Kanji of the Year was “金” (gold). This character carries positive connotations, such as the surge of gold medals at the Olympics and the Sado Gold Mine being inscribed as a World Heritage Site, as well as negative connotations, including political slush fund scandals.

Mrs. GREEN APPLE

The artist who won the 2024 Japan Record Award was Mrs. GREEN APPLE, and the winning song was “Lilac.” As for the choices listed, Kent-san’s “Hai Yorokonde” won Best New Artist, and Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” received an Excellent Work Award.