BANZAI!!

BANZAI is one of the common gestures in Japan. You put your hands over your head and say “BANZAI!!” You could put your arms all the way up or you could also bend your elbows to make a little BANZAI. People usually do it less than 3 times, once or twice is common.

BANZAI represents joy so you cannot do it unless you are smiling. People usually do it to express their overjoyed feelings when they or someone else win something. For example, elementary, junior high, and high schools in Japan have the athletic festivals every fall to enjoy the season and sports. Students are divided into two teams of RED and WHITE and play all kinds of athletics like running race, tug-of-war, and so on. After all their athletics and games are done, they stand in line and hear which team has won. When people who have won hear a speaker says “The winner! RED!!(Or WHITE),” and then they raise their arms and shout “BANZAI! BANZAI! ”
Since the exam is a really big deal in Japan, people often do and say “BANZAI” when they pass it.
It is like “YEAHHH” in English, people also say “YATTAA” instead of “BANZAI.” Actually, “BANZAI” is getting old and “YATTAA” might be much popular now especially among young people.