You'll see some familiar phrases in this list of 60, compiled by publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha. Buzzwords, political stuff, hot news, all just like in our country...but completely different. I've picked out some of the most notable ones, many of which we've talked about here on Japanator this past year.

Herbivore men - These poor guys. The ones that are all about their looks, and a lot less about relationships. There's an English (American) term for these kind of guys. Pansies.

Change - Obama coined it, Japan borrowed (and mocked) it. Obama was also a popular term. They're obsessed!

King of Pop - Too Soon.

Life-sized Gundam - The big bastard stayed around for most of the year, being all 18 meters tall and looking over Tokyo's bay. I was in Japan twice in 2009 and did not see him either time. I'm still pissed.

Pandemic - They're talking about H1N1, or the Swine Flu, of course.

Otomen - Girly mans were everywhere. See this.

Ashura - A popular exhibit at the Tokyo National Museum that opened this year, featuring national treasures. The highlight was an 8th-century statue of Buddhist deity Ashura. Amazing. It's no life-sized Gundam, but I did get to see Ashura. 

Pink Tentacle has the full list of 60.