1999

平成11年

World Events
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bombs Yugoslavia over the Kosovo issue. A new currency, the euro, is created in Europe. Macau is returned to China. Japan's first criticality accident occurs at a nuclear fuel processing company in Tokai-mura, Ibaraki Prefecture. Nissan becomes part of the Renault group.
Graphic Design's Events
The Sezon Museum of Art closes. “Chappie," a character developed by groovvisions, makes her CD debut. A new Yusaku Kamekura Design Award is established under the JAGDA Award. The first winner is Ikko Tanaka. Takashi Kono (b. 1906) passes away.
JAGDA New Designer Award
Yuki Kikutake（b.1958） Kazufumi Nagai（b.1961） Eiki Hidaka（b.1962）
ADC Grand Prix
United Arrows Ltd., Commercial Film, Poster
TDC Grand Prix
Shin Matsunaga Poster for “Jyosei-Jishin” magazine by Kobunsha
Media
2channel is launched. Yahoo! JAPAN launches online auctions. DoCoMo launches i-mode, an internet service for cell phones. Hirotada Ototake's "Gotai Fumanzoku" (No One’s Perfect) becomes a bestseller. “Dango 3 Kyodai" (Three Dango Brothers), a song aired during a children's TV show on NHK, becomes a big hit.
Culture
The great prophecy of Nostradamus becomes popular at the end of the century. Norika Fujiwara and Nanako Matsushima achieve success in TV dramas and magazines. Brands such as "Egoist" and "Love Boat" become very popular. Shibuya 109 becomes a mecca for kogals (Japanese fashion culture characterized by schoolgirls wearing shortened Japanese school uniform skirts).
Japanese Buzzword Award
Zasso damashii (weed spirit) (Yomiuri Giants baseball player Koji Uehara)
Word of the Year
Y2K（ADS）
Hit Items
N/A
Pop Music
Japanese music GLAY: "Winter, again" Morning Musume: "LOVE MACHINE" Ami Suzuki: "BE TOGETHER" Hikaru Utada: "First Love”

Western music Britney Spears: “...Baby One More Time” Ricky Martin: “Livin' la Vida Loca” Backstreet Boys: “I Want It That Way” Christina Aguilera: “Genie in a Bottle”