Dogenka sento ikan ("I have to do something") said by Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru and Hanikami Oji ("Bashful Prince"), the nickname of amateur golfer Ryo Ishikawa, have been chosen as the hottest buzzwords reflecting Japanese society in 2007.

The selecting body — the publisher of the encyclopedia Gendai Yogono Kiso Chishiki and U-Can Inc., a provider of correspondence courses — said Dec. 3 the remarks of the entertainer-turned-governor, who replaced a scandal-tainted predecessor, clearly showed his appeal in the local dialect and touched the right chord with people nationwide.

Meanwhile, Ishikawa, a high-school student, evoked a great sense of nostalgia among Japanese for a modest young man with a terrific smile and manners, which are now a dying breed, the selectors said.