Japan’s 2024 Kanji of the Year: “Gold” Reflects a Year of Triumphs and Challenges
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On the afternoon of December 12, Japan unveiled its annual Kanji selection, a tradition that encapsulates the essence of the year in a single character. For 2024, the chosen character was “gold,” symbolizing both the nation’s triumphs and the challenges it faced throughout the year.
A Symbol of Triumph and Turmoil
The character “gold” was chosen by the Japanese public to represent the year, reflecting both the economic struggles faced by citizens and the political scandals that shook the nation. However, it also celebrated Japan’s impressive performance at the 2024 paris Olympics, where the country secured 20 gold medals, placing it second only to the United States and China.
Mori Kiyonori, the abbot of Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, penned the character during the ceremony. Interestingly,his intentional adjustment of the strokes initially lead some observers to mistake the character for “heavy.” However, the host quickly clarified that the chosen Kanji was indeed “gold.”
Political Scandals and Economic Challenges
One of the most notable events of the year was the “Li-Jin issue,” a political donation scandal that erupted in November 2023 and continued to reverberate throughout 2024. The scandal severely damaged the reputation of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, leading to factional dissolutions, a change in prime ministers, and a significant defeat for the party in the october House of Representatives election.
“Gold” also captured the economic anxieties of the Japanese people, as inflation, rising prices, and increased taxes continued to weigh heavily on households. The character served as a reminder of the financial struggles many faced, even as the nation celebrated its Olympic achievements.
A Tradition Rooted in Reflection
the selection of “gold” marks the fifth time the character has been chosen as Japan’s kanji of the Year, making it the most frequently selected character in the history of the tradition. The Kanji Museum in Kyoto will preserve this year’s selection, joining past choices that have reflected the nation’s triumphs, challenges, and collective consciousness.
As the year draws to a close, “gold” serves as a fitting summary of 2024—a year that was both tumultuous and triumphant for Japan.
The annual Kanji selection is a cherished tradition in Japan, offering a moment of reflection and a way to encapsulate the year’s events in a single, powerful symbol. As the nation looks ahead to 2025, the character “gold” will remain a lasting reminder of the triumphs and challenges of 2024.
Japan’s “Word of the Year” Reflects Nation’s Challenges: “Rice” takes Center Stage
In a tradition dating back to 1995, Japan has once again unveiled its “Word of the Year,” a single Chinese character that encapsulates the nation’s most pressing issues and sentiments. For 2024, the character “米” (pronounced “mai”), meaning “rice,” has been chosen to symbolize the year’s most significant event: the unprecedented rice shortage that gripped the country.
The rice shortage, which began in July, has been a focal point of Japanese life this year. The scarcity was triggered by a combination of factors, including reduced stock levels during the transition from summer to autumn, and public anxiety over natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. This led to a surge in rice hoarding,leaving supermarket shelves empty and sparking what has been dubbed the “Reiwa Rice Riot.”
Other Notable Characters reflect Broader Societal Concerns
While “rice” dominated the headlines, other characters nominated for the “Word of the Year” also highlighted significant challenges facing Japan. The character “高” (pronounced “taka”),meaning “high,” was chosen to reflect the ongoing economic struggle with high prices.This issue, which has plagued Japan for years, also echoes last year’s selection of “税” (tax), underscoring the persistent financial strain on the population.
Another prominent character was “暗” (pronounced “yami”), meaning “darkness.” This selection was inspired by the rise of “暗黒業” (ankoku-gyo), or ”dark work,” a term used to describe a surge in criminal activities disguised as part-time job opportunities. These schemes, which promise swift and easy income, have ensnared many unsuspecting individuals in illegal activities such as fraud, drug trafficking, and theft. The anonymity and mobility of these crimes have posed a significant challenge to law enforcement and society at large.
The character “震” (pronounced “shin”), meaning “shock,” was also a strong contender, reflecting the devastating impact of the January 1st Noto Peninsula earthquake. The 7.6-magnitude quake claimed 462 lives, including 235 indirect casualties, and injured 1,336 people. As the first anniversary of the disaster approaches, reconstruction efforts in Ishikawa Prefecture remain a priority, with many areas still in need of revitalization.
Ancient Trends in Japan’s “Word of the Year”
Since the inception of the “Word of the Year” tradition in 1995, certain characters have emerged as recurring themes. The character “金” (gold) has been selected four times (2021, 2016, 2012, 2000), reflecting economic and financial concerns. Other frequently chosen characters include “災” (disaster) in 2018 and 2004, “戦” (war) in 2022 and 2001, and “税” (tax) in 2023 and 2014.
Interestingly, no character has ever been selected in consecutive years, highlighting the diversity of challenges faced by Japan over the decades. the selection of “米” (rice) for 2024 not only underscores the immediate crisis but also serves as a reminder of the nation’s resilience in the face of adversity.
As Japan looks ahead to 2025, the selection of “米” (rice) as the “Word of the Year” serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in 2024. it also highlights the importance of addressing food security, economic stability, and public safety in the years to come.
For U.S. readers, this tradition offers a unique window into the cultural and societal dynamics of Japan, providing insights into the shared global concerns of food scarcity, economic hardship, and the impact of natural disasters.
Japan’s Annual Kanji Selection: A 30-Year Tradition
Every year, japan selects a single kanji character to symbolize the essence of the past 12 months.This tradition, now in its 30th year, has become a cultural staple, reflecting the nation’s sentiments and events. The selection process, overseen by the japan Kanji Proficiency Test Association, culminates on December 12, known as “Kanji Day.”
How is the kanji of the Year Chosen?
The selection process begins in November when the public is invited to submit their chosen kanji.These submissions are then tallied,and the character with the highest number of votes is announced on December 12.The ceremony takes place at Kyoto’s historic Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where Abbot Mori Kiyonori, a director of the Certification association, writes the winning kanji on-site.
The results of the vote are kept confidential until the moment of the declaration. Abbot mori Kiyonori only learns the winning character when he opens the sealed envelope. He then writes the kanji on a large sheet of traditional Kurotani Washi paper using a special Kumano brush from Hiroshima Prefecture. The paper measures 150 cm by 130 cm, making the final piece a striking visual depiction of the year’s essence.
Once completed, the original kanji is preserved in the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Additionally, a special exhibition of past selections is held at the Kanji Museum in Gion, Kyoto, allowing visitors to reflect on the evolution of this cultural tradition.
A Growing Tradition
As its inception in 1995, the annual kanji selection has seen a steady increase in public participation. The first year saw 12,866 votes, a number that surged to 111,208 in 2008 and reached a record high of 496,997 in 2011, following the Great East japan Earthquake.the selected kanji that year, “Kizuna,” meaning “bond,” aptly captured the nation’s resilience and unity.In recent years, the number of votes has remained robust, with 223,768 in 2022 and 147,878 in 2023.
The kanji selected in the past five years reflect a range of themes: 2019’s “Rei” (令) symbolized the beginning of the Reiwa era,while 2020’s “Secret” (密) highlighted the challenges of the pandemic. 2021’s “Gold” (金) celebrated achievements in sports, 2022’s “War” (戦) marked global conflicts, and 2023’s ”Tax” (税) underscored economic concerns.
As this cultural tradition continues to evolve, it remains a poignant reflection of Japan’s collective memory and a testament to the enduring power of language to capture the spirit of an era.
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