World Events
GM and Chrysler go bankrupt. U.S. President Barack Obama receives the Nobel Peace Prize. A new strain of influenza spreads across Japan. The jury system begins. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) wins the lower house election, bringing about a change in government. Yukio Hatoyama becomes the 93rd Prime Minister of Japan in September.
Graphic Design's Events
New category awards are established with this year's JAGDA Awards. In response to the diversity of graphic expression, the awards are divided into such categories as "Environment/Space," "Motion Graphics," "General Graphics,” and “Composite." Zine's Mate-Tokyo Art Book Fair (now "Tokyo Art Book Fair"), which specializes in publications featuirng art works, is launched, fueling the Zine boom. "DESIGNEAST00" is held at Nakanoshima BANKS as an attempt to discover new possibilities for urban design at an international level from Osaka, the EAST base of the world. Ryosuke Uehara wins the 11th Yusaku Kamekura Design Award. Shigeo Fukuda (b.1932), Yoshio Hayakawa (b.1917), and Kiyoshi Awazu (b.1929) pass away.
JAGDA New Designer Award
Yoshiaki Irobe（b.1974） Rika Eguchi（b.1979） Yoshinori Okada（b.1974） Ryota Sakae（b.1979）
ADC Grand Prix
Space Design, General Graphc / “WHISPERED PRAYERS. EXHIBITION” and “ASABA's DIARY” / 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
TDC Grand Prix
Yugo Nakamura + tha Now Updating… The Interactive Design of THA / Yugo Nakamura
Media
Internet advertising expenditures surpass newspaper advertising expenditures this year. Operation of the virtual currency Bitcoin begins. Commercial radio stations begin trial operation of radiko.jp for distribution of broadcast contents over the internet. Windows 7 is launched. Anime TV show “K-ON!” starts airing.
Culture
Forever21 arrives in Japan, increasing the presence of fast fashion. The eco-point system heats the market for energy-saving home appliances. “Konkatsu” (nuptial activity), a new term regarding marriage, becomes popular. Michael Jackson passes away.
Japanese Buzzword Award
Seiken kotai (change in government) (Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama)
Word of the Year
simples (UK) & unfriend (US) tweet（ADS）
Hit Items
Anti-influenza merchandise, Kirin Free (beverage), and Uno Fog Bar (cosmetics for men)
Pop Music
Japanese Music Kaela Kimura: “Butterfly" Funky Monkey Babys: “Hero" Yusuke: “Himawari” (Sunflower)
Western music Lady Gaga: "Poker Face" Taylor Swift: "You Belong With Me" Jason Mraz: "I'm Yours” Drake: "Best I Ever Had"
Exhibitions in 2009
ddd 171
Kijuro Yahagi: Magnetic Vision 60/100 New Works
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2009 Tokyo Art Directors Club Exhibition
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Tokyo Type Directors Club Exhibition 2009
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DRAFT: Branding & Art Director
ddd 167
Brilliant Rivalry: Works by Outstanding Designers in the DNP Archives of Graphic Design
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Helvetica forever: Story of a Typeface
