統計 Tōkei Statistics
Statistics Day
October 18 is Japan’s Statistics Day. The date recalls an 1870 decree to gather production figures from the prefectures—an early step toward understanding the country through data.
Language note: 統計 (tōkei) means statistics: collected data organized to show patterns. 数字 (sūji) means numbers; 傾向 (keikō), a trend.
A number becomes useful when its source, pattern and limits are understood.
Practice: 数字を集めて、傾向を確かめる。 Sūji o atsumete, keikō o tashikameru. Gather numbers and check the trend.
Sources: Statistics Bureau of Japan — Statistics Day: https://www.stat.go.jp/info/today/013.html Statistics Bureau of Japan — What are statistics?: https://www.stat.go.jp/naruhodo/1_hajimeni/index.html