Overview
- The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announced the selection at Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera, where head priest Mori Seihan brushed the character on paper about 1.5 meters by 1.3 meters.
- ‘Bear’ was chosen for the first time in the 31-year tradition, drawing 23,346 of 189,122 votes to edge ‘rice’ by 180 votes, with ‘high’ placing third.
- Reports cited a surge in bear incidents that led to deaths, injuries, school closures and event cancellations, prompting government emergency responses.
- The calligraphy will be displayed at Kiyomizu-dera through December 22 and then exhibited at the Kanji Museum in Kyoto from December 23.
- Cabinet ministers shared their own kanji picks, and the chief cabinet secretary noted the rise in serious injuries from large bears when discussing the year’s events.