【中文】【English】今年的漢字揭曉：一個「熊」字，道盡日本2025年的不安與現實
12 月 12 日，日本漢字能力檢定協會正式公布，象徵 2025 年日本社會樣貌的「今年的漢字」為——「熊」。這個結果一出，立刻引發各界討論。不同於過去多半聚焦在政治、經濟或國際事件，今年選出的漢字，卻來自日本民眾最直接、也最貼近生活的「不安感」。
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【English】Kanji of the Year Announcement: ‘Bear’ in 2025
On 12 December, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announced the single character symbolising Japanese society in 2025. Following tradition, Chief Priest Mori Seihan of Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple powerfully inscribed the character for “bear” (熊) on a large sheet of washi paper measuring approximately 1.5 metres high and 1.3 metres wide.
The selection of the “Kanji of the Year” began in 1995, marking its 31st iteration this year. From submissions by the general public nationwide via the official website or postcard, one character is chosen that most symbolises the social climate and public sentiment of that year. Looking back at last year (2024), Japan's gold medal rush at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, coupled with the heightened focus on political funding issues, led to “金” (gold) being selected as the representative character.
While past selections often focused on politics, economics, or international affairs, this year's chosen character stems from the ‘sense of unease’ most directly felt by the Japanese public and closely tied to daily life. In recent years, wild bear sightings have become frequent across Japan, with a succession of incidents causing human casualties. From local news to national media, bear damage is becoming an everyday topic. This highlights one of the challenges facing rural areas: changes in mountainous forest environments, disaster prevention systems, population decline, and an ageing society.
In any case, the “Kanji of the Year” acts like a mirror, reflecting the matters of interest of Japanese society. Last year's glory, this year's anxiety about daily life. What kind of year will next year be, and what kanji will adorn it? It is something to look forward to already.
