In celebration of World Emoji Day (July 17), Japanese tech firm Baidu Japan released a fascinating global report analyzing emoji usage across 16 countries for the first half of 2025, based on data from the popular keyboard app “Simeji.” The results not only highlight the most-used emojis but also reveal the unique cultural values behind digital communication styles 🌍✨
😭 The Reigning Emoji Champion of the World
The universal king of emojis in early 2025 was none other than the “😭” (Loudly Crying Face), taking the number one spot in 12 out of the 16 countries surveyed. This emoji, once reserved for expressing sadness, has evolved into a multipurpose tool for conveying extreme joy, heartfelt empathy, or even emotional overwhelm. Whether someone just finished a moving drama or received good news, “😭” works perfectly.
This global dominance shows how emojis have become emotional amplifiers in a connected world—but the nuances in how different cultures use them remain strikingly diverse.
❤️ Missing in Japan? Cultural Nuance Over Raw Emotion
One of the biggest surprises in the survey was Japan’s absence of heart emojis in its top 5, a stark contrast to many other countries where ❤️, 💗, or 🥰 are dominant.
Instead, Japan’s top three emojis were:
- 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) – a symbol of shared emotion and empathy
- 💦 (Sweat Droplet) – often used to convey nervousness, mild embarrassment, or apology
- ‼️ (Double Exclamation Mark) – to soften or emphasize without being too direct
These choices reflect a cultural tendency toward indirectness and emotional subtlety. Rather than bluntly declaring love or sadness, Japanese users tend to use emojis that express concern, context, or gentle emphasis. It’s a quiet, nuanced form of digital diplomacy—emojis as emotional cushions 🫧💬
Contrast Around the World 🌎
Other countries revealed a more direct or playful use of emojis, deeply shaped by cultural values and online trends:
🇺🇸 USA & UK
😂 (Face with Tears of Joy), 🤣 (Rolling on the Floor Laughing), and 💔 (Broken Heart) made the top ranks. These reflect a comfort with expressing strong emotions directly and even with humor—laughing at pain, poking fun at drama, or just keeping it real.
🇫🇷 France
The French leaned into a balance between humor and romance, with 🤣, ❤️, and 🥰 showing up. The mix suggests a national emoji palette that values both love and laughter—a charming digital signature 💘😂
🇷🇺 Russia
The only country where ❤️ ranked first, with 💋 (Kiss Mark) also popular. Russia’s emoji trends suggest openness in expressing affection and intimacy.
🇮🇩 Indonesia
The meme-loving nation made headlines by ranking 🗿 (Moai) in third place. Used humorously to express apathy or sarcastic confusion, this emoji’s popularity shows the influence of Gen Z internet culture and meme communities 🎭📱
🇲🇽🇦🇷 Mexico & Argentina
Both Latin American countries had multiple heart emojis in their top 5, reflecting a passionate, expressive style of emotional communication. 💗💃❤️
Why This Matters 🧠
Emojis may seem small, but they’re mirrors of our values and habits. Where Western cultures might value directness, humor, or dramatic flair, Japan tends to prioritize social harmony, indirect expression, and emotional buffering. These cultural preferences subtly shape how people connect online.
Moreover, the difference isn’t just what emojis people use—but how and why they use them. In Japan, a 💦 after a message might say, “Sorry if that was too much.” In the U.S., a 🤣 after a breakup post might mean, “Laughing through the pain.” Same technology, different hearts 💌
Looking Forward 📈
As global communication continues to evolve, emoji usage offers a unique lens into the emotional DNA of cultures. With companies like Simeji leading the way in analyzing these trends, we may soon understand not just how people type—but how they feel, and why.
Next time you send a 💬, think about what it says not just about you, but about where you’re from.
Let’s emoji our way to a better understanding of the world! 🌐💬💞
