今年の漢字
This Year Kanji
Understanding the Kanji of the Year (今年の漢字 - Kotoshi no Kanji)
"Every year in Japan, there's a fascinating tradition that captures the essence of the nation's mood and significant events. It's called the Kanji of the Year (今年の漢字 - Kotoshi no Kanji), and it's chosen through a public vote to represent the major happenings and feelings of the past 12 months."
What is it?
"Since 1995, this special Kanji has been announced every December 12th (Kanji Day!) at the ancient Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. The head priest dramatically writes the chosen character with a giant brush on a large piece of washi paper. It’s a moment of national reflection, sparking discussions about what the year truly meant."
Why is it important for you?
"As a future student in Japan, understanding traditions like the Kanji of the Year helps you connect with Japanese culture on a deeper level. It's a snapshot of history, public sentiment, and the language in action! Discussing it is a great way to practice your Japanese conversation skills and learn new vocabulary."
熊
2025 Kanji
1. Nature & Daily Life
2025 saw a record-breaking number of bear sightings and attacks across Japan. For the first time, bears were coming into big cities and near schools, making it a major news topic every single day. People felt that the "safety" of Japan was being challenged by nature.
2. The Environment
It sparked a big conversation about climate change and habitat loss. Japanese people discussed how the lack of food in the mountains was forcing animals into human areas—a reminder of our connection to the environment.
3. The "Panda" News
In a more positive light, the character 熊 is also part of the word for Panda (熊猫 - Kumaneko). In 2025, several famous pandas were returned to China, which was a very emotional event for the Japanese public.
4. Economic Issues (The Close Seconds)
The vote was very tight! The second-place kanji was 米 (Kome - Rice) because the price of rice was very high last year, and the third was 高 (Taka - High) because everything in Japan became more expensive.
皆さん、こんにちは！ 日本の「今年の漢字」を知っていますか？毎年、その年を象徴する漢字が一つ選ばれます。
2025年の漢字は**「熊（くま）」**でした！🐻
なぜ「熊」が選ばれたのでしょうか？
自然の変化： 去年は日本中で「熊」のニュースがたくさんありました。
環境： 山に食べ物が少なくなり、熊が街に来たことは、環境について考えるきっかけになりました。
パンダ： 日本で愛されたパンダ（「熊」猫）との別れもありました。
漢字はただの文字ではありません。日本の「今」を知る大切な鍵です。 SAKURAで一緒に、日本の文化と心を学びましょう！
Just like this Kanji reflects the challenges of the past year, learning Japanese helps you understand the heart and mind of the people. 2025 was the year to 'bear' through challenges, but 2026 is the year to move forward!
