2002

平成14年

DNP Gallery reopens in May.
World Events
The euro starts circulating as the EU's single currency. At the first Japan-North Korea summit, Kim Il Sung apologizes for “abductions," and five of the victims return to Japan. Prime Minister Koizumi becomes the first Japanese prime minister to visit North Korea. The Japan-Korea World Cup is held.
Graphic Design's Events
Morisawa's PR magazine "Tategumi Yokogumi" ceases publication. Kazunari Hattori draws attention for his design of the magazine "Ryuko Tsushin." Kashiwa Sato receives the 4th Yusaku Kamekura Design Award. Ikko Tanaka (b. 1930) passes away.
JAGDA New Designer Award
Hiroshi Goto（b.1962） Kenjiro Sano（b.1972） Noboru Naito（b.1967）
ADC Grand Prix
TOKUSHU PAPER MFG. CO., LTD., Graphic Design
TDC Grand Prix
Stefan Sagmeister Sagmeister: Made You Look
Media
KDDI launches Chaku-Uta, a ringtone service. Winny, file-sharing software using P2P technology, is released. The Xbox game console is released.
Culture
As a result of the World Cup, attention is drawn to good-looking soccer players. There is a surge in the number of men with soccer player David Beckham's hairstyle. Rowdy, violent soccer fans called hooligans become conspicuous. Flat-screen TVs start to become popular. Layered clothing becomes popular.
Japanese Buzzword Award
Tama-chan (a spotted seal) (the discoverer of Tama-chan, Yuji Sasaki, and Yuko Kurozumi of Fuji Television Network)
Word of the Year
WMD：weapons of mass destruction（ADS）
Hit Items
Abtronic (exercise equipment), Nicorette (quit-smoking products), Amino Supplement (dietary supplement)
Pop Music
Japanese Music Ayumi Hamasaki: “Voyage" KICK THE CAN CREW: “Marché" CHEMISTRY: "My Gift to You" SMAP: “Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" (The One and Only Flower in the World)

Western music Ashanti: “Foolish" Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland: "Dilemma" Linkin Park: "In The End" Avril Lavigne: "Complicated"