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is a Japanese romanization system, i.e. a system for transcribing the Japanese language into the Latin alphabet. It is abbreviated as Kunrei-shiki. Its name is rendered ''Kunreisiki'' using Kunrei-shiki itself. Kunrei-shiki is sometimes known as the Monbushō system in English, because it is taught in the Monbushō-approved elementary school curriculum. The ISO has standardized Kunrei-shiki under ISO 3602. Kunrei-shiki is based on the older Nihon-shiki (Nipponsiki) system, modified for modern standard Japanese. For example, the word かなづかい, romanized ''kanadukai'' in Nihon-shiki, is pronounced ''kanazukai'' in common modern Japanese, and Kunrei-shiki uses the latter spelling. Kunrei-shiki competes with the older Hepburn romanization system, which was promoted by the authorities during the occupation of Japan. Today, Japanese commonly choose between Kunrei-shiki and Hepburn depending on the given situation. ==History== In the period before World War II there was a political conflict between supporters of Hepburn romanization and supporters of Nihon-shiki romanization. In 1930 a board of inquiry under the aegis of the Minister of Education was established to determine the proper romanization system. The Japanese government, by cabinet order (訓令 ''kunrei''),〔Horvat, p. (166 ). ""The ''zi'' ending of ''roomazi'' comes from the Kunreeshiki system promulgated in the 1930s through a cabinet order, or ''kunree''."〕 announced on September 21, 1937 that a modified form of Nihon-shiki would be officially adopted as Kunrei-shiki.〔Kent, et al. "Oriental Literature and Bibliography." p. (155 ).〕 The form at the time differs slightly from the modern day form.〔Hadamitzky, p. (12 ).〕 Originally the system was called the ''Kokutei'' (国定, government-authorized) system.〔 The Japanese government gradually introduced Kunrei-shiki. It appeared in secondary education, on railway station signboards, on nautical charts, and on the 1:1,000,000 scale International Map of the World.〔"(Romanization in Japan )." ((Archive )) (Paper presented by Japan) United Nations Economic and Social Council. July 8, 1977. p. 3. English only. Retrieved on May 15, 2013.〕 In the period when the central government had strong control, from 1937 to 1945, the Japanese government used Kunrei-shiki in its tourist brochures.〔Horvat, Andrew. "(The Romaji (Roomaji) Conundrum )." ((Archive )) - Excerpt from Horvat's book: ''Japanese Beyond Words: How to Walk and Talk Like a Native Speaker''. Hosted at the David See-Chai Lam Centre for International Communication of Simon Fraser University. Retrieved on May 13, 2013.〕 In Japan, some usage of Nihon-shiki and Modified Hepburn remained because some individuals supported the usage of those systems.〔 J. Marshall Unger, author of ''Literacy and Script Reform in Occupation Japan : Reading between the Lines'', said that the Hepburn supporters "understandably" believed that the Kunrei-shiki "compromise" was not fair, because of the presence of the "un-English-looking spellings" that the Modified Hepburn supporters had opposed.〔Unger, p. (54 ).〕 Andrew Horvat, author of ''Japanese Beyond Words: How to Walk and Talk Like a Native Speaker'', argued that "by forcing non-native speakers of Japanese with no intentions of learning the language to abide by a system intended for those who have some command of Japanese, the government gave the impression of intolerant language management that would have dire consequences later on."〔 After the Japanese government was defeated in 1945, General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers issued a directive, dated September 3, 1945, that stated that Modified Hepburn was the method for transcribing Japanese names. Some editorials printed in Japanese newspapers advocated for only using Hepburn.〔Unger, p. (78 ).〕 Supporters of Hepburn denounced pro-Kunrei-shiki and pro-Nihon-shiki advocates to the SCAP offices,〔 accusing them of being inactive militarists,〔 and of collaborating with militarists. Unger said that the nature of Kunrei-shiki led to "pent-up anger" among the Hepburn supporters.〔 During the post-war period, several educators and scholars tried to introduce romanized letters as a teaching device and as a possibility of being a substitution for kanji. However Kunrei-shiki had associations with Japanese militarism and the U.S. occupying government was reluctant to promote it.〔 On December 9, 1954, the Japanese government re-confirmed Kunrei-shiki as its official system;〔 this time the Kunrei-shiki system had slight modifications done to it.〔Gottlieb, p. 78.〕 Eleanor Jorden, an American linguist, made textbooks that used a modified version of Kunrei-shiki. They were used in the 1960s in courses given to U.S. diplomats. The usage of her books did not change the U.S. government's hesitation to use Kunrei-shiki.〔 As of 1974, according to the Geographical Survey Institute, Kunrei-shiki was used for topographical maps while Modified Hepburn was used for geological maps and aeronautical charts.〔Bulletin of the Geographical Survey Institute, p. (22 ). "As reported at the Second Conference, the writing of geographical names in Roman letters in Japan comes in two types — Kunrei Siki (system adopted under a Cabinet ordinance) and Syûsei Hebon Siki (Modified Hepburn System). Kunrei Siki is used for topographical maps, whjereas Syûsei Hebon Siki is in use for aeronautical charts and geological maps." - Content also available in "(Romanization in Japan )." ((Archive )) (Paper presented by Japan) United Nations Economic and Social Council. July 8, 1977. p. 2. English only.〕 As of 1978, the National Diet Library used Kunrei-shiki. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and many other official organizations instead used Hepburn. In addition ''The Japan Times'', the Japan Travel Bureau, and many other private organizations used Hepburn instead of Kunrei-shiki.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kunrei-shiki romanization」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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