Japanese public chooses 'bear' as kanji of 2025

The Japanese public has chosen the Chinese character for "bear" as the kanji that best represents 2025. The selection follows unusually frequent bear sightings involving significant damage nationwide this year. A Kyoto-based association promoting the use of kanji announced on Friday the result of its annual poll with a calligraphy performance at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto City. 

This year marked the 31st time the popular public vote has been held since the association launched it in 1995.