Japan has chosen the kanji for the year 2025. It is “kuma” (“bear”). The ceremony took place at the Temple of Pure Water in Kyoto, the country’s ancient capital. The temple’s abbot inscribed the kanji on rice paper. The ceremony was broadcast on Japan Television.
The tradition of choosing a kanji for the year began in 1995. The choice of 2025 was prompted by the increasing frequency of bear attacks in the country. The number of attacks between April and November reached a record high. 230 people were injured by bears, and 13 died.
Bear attacks occurred most frequently in the northeast of the country. From April to September, approximately 37,000 reports of bear encounters were received. According to experts, this may be due to a poor nut harvest – bears are suffering from food shortages and are increasingly approaching people.
For 2024, the kanji for “gold” was chosen. This was due to the victories of Japanese athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Earlier, Japan had chosen a slogan for the year, which was Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s phrase, “work, work, work.”
