"a survey carried out late last year, Japan’s Shonan Beauty Clinic asked 1,400 Japanese men and women what their favourite words were."
1. ありがとう arigato - thank you (76 votes)
2. 努力 doryoku - exertion/great effort (74 votes)
3. 愛 ai - love (72 votes)
4. 思いやり omoiyari - consideration (55 votes)
5. 前向き maemuki - looking forward (33 votes)
6. 一期一会 ichigo ichie - once in a lifetime opportunity (32 votes)
7. 笑い・笑顔 warai/egao - laugh/smiling face (18 votes)
8. 健康 kenko - health (16 votes)
9. 平和 heiwa - peace (13 votes)
10. なんとかなる nantoka ni naru - ”We’ll get by some way or other.” (12 votes)
Source: Survey reveals Japan’s 'Top 10 Words' - all remarkably positive
By Philip Kendall, FEB. 11, 2013, Japan Today