Chinese characters are widely used in Japan. But after divergent usage over many hundreds of years (often over a thousand years), meanings became slightly different.
I've become intrigued by the characters 公用
In China, it seems this consistently means "public use"
In Japan however, it's often "Official Use Only - Stay Away!"
Very different, almost opposite meanings...
Of course, Japan's paradise for officialdom, with many cumbersome administrative processes, and an army of paper-pushing bureaucrats (each convinced their own non-productive work is essential).
I'm still getting to grips with this difference; further reports as I discover more.
I've become intrigued by the characters 公用
In China, it seems this consistently means "public use"
In Japan however, it's often "Official Use Only - Stay Away!"
Very different, almost opposite meanings...
Of course, Japan's paradise for officialdom, with many cumbersome administrative processes, and an army of paper-pushing bureaucrats (each convinced their own non-productive work is essential).
I'm still getting to grips with this difference; further reports as I discover more.