1.
all over Japan; throughout Japan
The whole of Japan, or everywhere within the country. Formed from 日本 (Japan) plus the suffix 〜中 (throughout).
日本中で有名だ。
It's famous all over Japan.
そのニュースは日本中に広まった。
The news spread throughout Japan.
彼のヒット曲は日本中の人に愛されている。
His hit song is loved by people all over Japan.
The suffix 〜中 attaches to place words to mean "throughout" or "all over."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 日本中を旅する: to travel all over Japan
- 日本中に広まる: to spread throughout Japan
- 世界中: all over the world (same 〜中 pattern)
NOTE ON READING:
With place words 〜中 is read じゅう (extent across space); the same kanji read 〜中 marks an ongoing action or period (会議中 "in a meeting").