‘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.
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Updated On December 12, 2025
