TOKYO WEEKENDER



 

The announcement was made in Kyoto on Friday

‘Kuma’ Is the Official Kanji of 2025

On Friday, the official Kanji of the Year for 2025 was announced at Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto. Unsurprisingly, the top choice this year was 熊 (pronounced Kuma) meaning bear.

The character was selected from a public vote. It’s the first time the kanji for bear has been chosen, reflecting a year that has been marked by a record number of sightings and bear attacks across the country. 

Shown live on TV, the character was drawn using a giant calligraphy brush on Japanese paper, known as washi, by chief Buddhist priest Seihan Mori.

Other characters mentioned as contenders included 巳 (mi), the eto kanji for snake and 災 (sai or wazawai), meaning disaster.

In 2024, 金 (kin) was selected as the Kanji of the Year. The choice was influenced by a variety of events, including Japan’s medal haul at the Summer Olympics in Paris.