JLPT N3 Intermediate

日本初

The first instance of something occurring or appearing in Japan

Readings

Noun, No-adjective

Japan's First" / "First in Japan

Indicates that an event, product, or achievement has occurred or appeared within Japan for the very first time.

Good to know

日本初（にほんはつ） means Japan’s first or first in Japan. The suffix 初（はつ） marks the first occurrence within a certain area or category.

It is very common in news, advertising, and product announcements, where it highlights novelty: “the first of its kind in Japan.”

The usual reading in broadcasting and general use is 日本初（にほんはつ）. 日本初（にっぽんはつ） is also possible, but less standard.

日本初 often attaches directly to another noun, without の:

・日本初公開（にほんはつこうかい）: Japan premiere ・日本初上陸（にほんはつじょうりく）: first arrival in Japan, often used for foreign brands or services

The same pattern works with other scopes, such as 世界初（せかいはつ） for world’s first and 史上初（しじょうはつ） for first in history.

Example

これは日本初の月面探査機です。

This is Japan's first lunar probe.

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日本初

にほんはつ, にっぽんはつ

The first instance of something occurring or appearing in Japan

Example

この言葉を覚えましょう。

Let's memorize this word.

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