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📅 The Single Character Symbolizing Japan in 2025 is Revealed!
Today, December 12th (Friday), the annual event to select the single kanji character symbolizing the year—the “Kanji of the Year®”—was announced at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto.
This tradition, hosted by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, collects submissions from across the nation.
The character selected to represent the society and trends of 2025 is…
✨ The 2025 “Kanji of the Year” is 【熊】 (Kuma / Bear)!
This powerful character was traditionally written by the head priest, Seihan Mori, at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
The chosen character for 2025 is 【熊】 (Kuma / Bear).
🚨 Message Regarding the Serious “Bear” Situation
The selection of “熊” reflects a major social issue in Japan this year: the frequent sightings and attacks by bears across the country.
Especially in regions like Hokkaido and Tohoku, there has been a significant increase in bear-related incidents.
This kanji symbolizes the renewed threats from nature and forces us to reconsider the co-existence between human society and wildlife.
As the bear problem has not yet been resolved, our deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by these incidents.
We must continue to exercise extreme caution moving forward!
🔍 What is the “Kanji of the Year®”? A Legacy of Memory
The “Kanji of the Year®” is an event held at the end of the year to reflect on the events, trends, and social movements of the “passing year.”
By encapsulating each year into a single kanji character, it serves as a “Memory Asset” that allows us to discuss, learn from, and pass on the experiences of the year to the “coming year.”
- History and Selection Process: The tradition began in 1995 to promote the profundity and significance of kanji. Submissions are collected nationwide, and the character that receives the most votes is chosen.
This winning character is then unveiled in a powerful calligraphy ceremony at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
This event has become a major year-end tradition in Japan, encouraging reflection on the past year through the deep meanings and origins of a single kanji.
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