DNP Foundation for Cultural Promotion becomes a public interest incorporated foundation on November 1.
World Events
Xi Jinping is elected General Secretary of China. The London Olympics and Paralympics are held. The Act on Raising the Consumption Tax, to raise the tax to 8% in 2014 and to 10% in 2015, is passed. Shinzo Abe becomes the 96th Prime Minister of Japan in December (goes on to be re-elected to become the 97th and the 98th Prime Minister).
Graphic Design's Events
Shiseido's “Hanatsubaki" magazine is revamped, with the art director changing from Masayoshi Nakajo to Katsuhiko Shibuya. "Ikko Tanaka and Future/Past/East/West of Design” is held at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT. Katsuhiko Shibuya receives the 14th Yusaku Kamekura Design Award. Eiko Ishioka (b. 1938) passes away.
JAGDA New Designer Award
Tatsuki Ikezawa（b.1981） Yusuke Ono（b.1979） Ren Takaya（b.1976）
ADC Grand Prix
Poster, Commercial Film / “Losing is not an option.” /Honda Motor Co.
TDC Grand Prix
Why Not Associates + Gordon Young Comedy Carpet
Media
Facebook acquires Instagram. Amazon opens its Kindle Store for Japan. The Prime Minister's Office creates a LINE account. The revised Copyright Act is passed to crack down on illegal downloading of video and music, and the hacker group Anonymous protests on the internet in response.
Culture
Tokyo Sky Tree opens. Magazines popularize the term "bimajo” (lit. beautiful witch) for mature women who glow agelessly. Low-cost airlines begin to appear one after another, lowering the barrier to domestic long-distance travel. A number of people begin to develop their torsos, including Yuto Nagatomo, a member of Japan's national soccer team.
Japanese Buzzword Award
Wairudo daroo (Wild, isn't it?) (comedian Sugi-chan)
Word of the Year
omnishambles (UK) & GIF (US) #hashtag（ADS）
Hit Items
Maruchan Seimen (instant ramen noodles), JINS PC, and shio koji (salt malt)
Pop Music
Japanese music Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: “Tsukematsukeru" (False Eyelashes) Naoto Inti Raymi: “Brave" Golden Bomber: “Memeshikute" (It's Feminine) Kazuyoshi Saito: "Yasashiku Naritai" (I Want to Become Kind)
Western music Gotye feat. Kimbra: "Somebody That I Used to Know" Fun feat. Janelle Monáe: "We Are Young" Carly Rae Jepsen: "Call Me Maybe" One Direction: "What Makes You Beautiful"
Exhibitions in 2012
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THE POSTERS 1983-2012 ―The Prize‐Winning Works from The International Poster Triennial in Toyama―
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2012 Tokyo Art Directors Club Exhibition
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Fumio Tachibana Exhibition
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Tokyo Type Directors Club Exhibition 2012
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DNP Graphic Design Archives Collection IV The 10th Memorial to Ikko Tanaka: Ikko Tanaka Posters 1980-2002
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GRAPHIC WEST 4 "Okumura Akio and Works" Exhibition
