2d • General discussion
🐻✍️ What’s Happening in Japan: Kanji of the Year 2025
Every year in Japan, one kanji is chosen to represent the year.
This year’s Kanji of the Year is:
熊（くま） — Bear
The kanji was written in a large calligraphy performance at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, a yearly tradition watched across Japan.
According to the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, 熊 received the most votes.
The reason?
➡️ There were many bear-related incidents this year, with bears appearing in towns and causing damage in different parts of Japan.
🥈 Second Place: 米（こめ）
The second most-voted kanji was 米.
This reflects:
rising rice prices in Japan
and the fact that the US president is Trump again (米 can also refer to America)
🈶 Useful Vocabulary
今年（ことし）kotoshi this year
漢字（かんじ）kanji
熊（くま）kuma bear
被害（ひがい）higai damage / harm
理由（りゆう）riyū reason
価格（かかく）kakaku price
🧠 Simple Japanese Sentence
今年の漢字は熊です。
Kotoshi no kanji wa kuma desu.
→ The kanji of the year is “bear.”
🫵 Your Turn — Let’s Talk!
Answer one (or more):
1️⃣ 今年の漢字は「熊」だと思いますか？
Do you think “bear” fits this year?
2️⃣ あなたの今年の漢字は何ですか？
What kanji would you choose for your year?
You can answer in simple Japanese or English.
Even one word is fine — let’s share and discuss!
🐻✨
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🐻✍️ What’s Happening in Japan: Kanji of the Year 2025
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