1998

平成10年

World Events
A peace agreement is reached in Northern Ireland. Simultaneous bombings of US embassies in Africa occur. Nagano Winter Olympics and Paralympics are held. Japan participates in the World Cup Soccer Tournament in France for the first time. The Wakayama Curry Incident. Zip codes change from three- and five-digit codes to seven-digit codes. Keizo Obuchi becomes the 84th Prime Minister of Japan in July.
Graphic Design's Events
A new Interactive Division is established for the 1997-1998 TDC Awards. "MONO*crafts," a website by Yugo Nakamura, is launched, drawing attention for its Flash-based website design. Japanese version of Illustrator 8.0 is released.
JAGDA New Designer Award
Hitomi Sago（b.1958） Satoshi Hasegawa（b.1958） Eiji Yamada（b.1965）
ADC Grand Prix
Salvatore Ferragamo Italia S.p.A. Poster, General Publication, Space Design
TDC Grand Prix
Masayoshi Nakajo Poster for Japan Culture Center in Paris “Exposition le siécle du design” *presented as year 97-98
Media
Japanese version of Windows 98 goes on sale. The movie "Titanic" becomes a big hit. Variety show "Susunu! Denpa Shonen" becomes popular. CyberAgent is founded amidst a flurry of venture IT companies.
Culture
The government permits self-service gas stations. The iMac, made of a translucent material with a pop color scheme, goes on sale. Cheap goods become a hit, and 100-yen stores spread across the country. Tarepanda, the original yuru-kyara (a category of mascot characters that are characterized by their kawaii (cute) and unsophisticated designs), makes its presence felt.
Japanese Buzzword Award
Hama no Daimajin (Nickname based on the kaiju superhero Daimajin) (Yokohama BayStars baseball player Kazuhiro Sasaki)
Word of the Year
the prefix "e-"（ADS）
Hit Items
Kirin Tanrei Nama (beverage), VIO Notebook 505 (laptop computer), ¥65 burger
Pop Music
Japanese music Kiroro: “Mirai e (To the Future) / Nagai Aida" (A Long Time) Every Little Thing: ”Toki wa Nagarete" (Time Has Gone By) DA PUMP: "Rhapsody in Blue"

Western music Brandy & Monica: “The Boy Is Mine” Cher: “Believe” Aerosmith: “I Don't Want to Miss a Thing” Usher: “Nice & Slow” Beastie Boys: “Intergalactic”