Kanji of the Year

The Kanji of the year (今年の漢字 Kotoshi no Kanji) is a kanji chosen by the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society (財団法人日本漢字能力検定協会 Zaidan hōjin Nihon Kanji Nōryoku kentei kyōkai) through a national ballot in Japan. It began in 1995. The character with the most votes is selected to represent the events of that year, and is announced in a ceremony on December 12 (Kanji Day) at Kiyomizu Temple.

Kanji of the year

1995 ― 「震 shin」(Quake)

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Growing feelings of unease caused by the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway.

1996 ― 「食 shoku」(Food, eat)

Multiple outbreaks of food poisoning due to E. coli O157 occur, affecting school lunch programs.

1997 ― 「倒 tō」(Collapse, Knock Down)

A wave of corporate bankruptcies and bank failures. The Japanese team beats regional powerhouses in the Asia qualifying tournament to win a berth in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

1998 ― 「毒 doku」(Poison)

Sixty-seven people are sickened and 4 die after eating poisoned curry. Masumi Hayashi is arrested and similar incidents follow. Concern about dioxin.

1999 ― 「末 sue」(End)

The final year of the century. The Tokaimura nuclear accident.

2000 ― 「金 kin」(Gold)

Judo athlete Ryoko Tamura (now Ryoko Tani) and marathon-runner Naoko Takahashi win gold at the Sydney Olympics. Kim Dae Jung (金 大中) and Kim Jong-il (金 正日) hold the first North-South Korean presidential summit. Deaths of centenarian twin sisters Kin-san and Gin-san (whose names sound like Gold and Silver).

2001 ― 「戦 sen」(War)

9/11 terror attacks. The U.S. war in Afganistan. Global recession.

2002 ― 「帰 ki」(Return)

Japan and North Korea begin talks. Five Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea return to Japan.

2003 ― 「虎 tora」(Tiger)

The Hanshin Tigers win the Central League pennant for the first time in 18 years.

2004 ― 「災 sai」(Disaster)

The Chūetsu earthquake. Typhoon Tokage lands, causing tremendous damage. Accident at the Mihama nuclear power plant. Mitsubishi Motors scandal involving the cover-up of known defects.

2005 ― 「愛 ai」(Love)

Expo 2005 is held in Aichi (愛知). Princess Nori marries Yoshiki Kuroda. Table tennis athlete Ai Fukuhara (福原 愛, Fukuhara Ai) plays in China.

2006 ― 「命 inochi」(Life)

Prince Hisahito of Akishino is born. Feelings of uncertainty about life arising from hit and run accidents due to driving under the influence, suicide due to bullying, the suicide of a member of the Imperial Guard, and other causes. Living things that are born, life that is cut short or taken.

2007 ― 「偽 nise」(Deception)

A series of food production/mislabeling scandals in which products that had expired were relabeled and sold. Problems over political funds and faulty pension records. Intellectual Property Infringement Controversy of Shijingshan Amusement Park, Beijing, China.

2008 ― 「変 hen」(Change)

Changing of the Japanese prime minister, Barack Obama winning the American presidential elections using the word (change), economical and ecological changes around the world.

External links

• Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society