The ddd gallery is closed for relocation in September.
World Events
North Korea conducts its first underground nuclear test followed by a missile launch, causing tension in Japan. The Livedoor Shock occurs. Shinzo Abe becomes the 90th Prime Minister of Japan in September.
Graphic Design's Events
A new Type Design Award is established starting with this year's TDC Awards. Kashiwa Sato creates the symbol mark and logotype for the National Art Center, Tokyo in Roppongi. (The museum's completion in scheduled for 2007.) Shin Matsunaga receives the 7th Yusaku Kamekura Design Award.
JAGDA New Designer Award
Atsuki Kikuchi（b.1974） Akiko Sekimoto（b.1976） Kaoru Takai（b.1967）
ADC Grand Prix
Pster / MITSUI & CO., LTD.
TDC Grand Prix
Hideki Nakajima SEVEN EXHIBITION
Media
Twitter and Facebook launch their services in the United States. JP domain name registrations exceed 800,000. In Japan, Gmail moves to a registration system. The game consoles Wii and PlayStation 3 are launched. One Seg (or 1seg) broadcasting service starts in some areas. The number of cinema complexes increases.
Culture
Local gourmet boom occurs. Yuri Ebihara and Moe Oshikiri, exclusive models for CanCam magazine, become very popular. UNIQLO's sister brand "g.u." (now GU) is launched.
Japanese Buzzword Award
Ina Bauer (professional skater Shizuka Arakawa)
Word of the Year
UK: bovvered / US: carbon-neutral（Oxford） pluto, as a verb (“to pluto“)（ADS）
Hit Items
TSUBAKI (hair care products), Look Kirei no Mist (disinfectant for toilets), Otokomae Tofuten (tofu)
Pop Music
Japanese Music Ayaka: “Mikazuki" Mihimaru GT: "Kibun Jojo" (Feeling Good) DJ OZMA: "Age Age Every Night" Shonan no Kaze: “Junrenka" (Pure Love Song)
Western music James Blunt: "You're Beautiful" Ne-Yo: "So Sick" Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean: "Hips Don't Lie" Daniel Powter: "Bad Day"
2006
平成18年
