also: にっぽんはつ
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
first in Japan; Japan's first
Used to describe something that is the first of its kind to occur or exist in Japan. Often appears in news headlines and formal announcements.
これは日本初の試みです。
This is the first attempt of its kind in Japan.
日本初の商業用ロケット打ち上げが成功した。
Japan's first commercial rocket launch was successful.
Compound of 日本 (Japan) and 初 (first). The reading にほん is the standard, while にっぽん is an alternate, more emphatic reading of 日本.