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'Kuma' Selected as Kanji of the Year After Surge in Bear Sightings and Attacks
The kanji for bear, 'kuma,' won with 23,346 votes amid record bear attacks, crop damage, and public anxiety across Japan in 2025, officials said.
- On Friday, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announced the Chinese character for 'bear' as the 2025 kanji, unveiled at Kiyomizu-dera Temple with Mori Seihan performing the calligraphy during the association's 31st annual vote.
- Association officials said rising bear appearances increased damage and public anxiety this year, while organisers also cited attention on giant pandas returned to China from a Wakayama theme park.
- Vote totals show Kuma received 23,346 votes, the most among over 189,000 entries, with Kome and 'Takai' finishing second and third.
- The surge in sightings resulted in record-level bear attacks causing injuries and deaths, while schools and local event organisers experienced closures and cancellations, and rural communities and farmers suffered heavy crop damage this year.
- This marks a first because kuma, the kanji for bear, has been chosen by the annual kanji poll reflecting social climate, unlike 2024's kin and third-place high linked to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi this year.
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Malay MailReposted by 
AlKhaleej Today
AlKhaleej TodayJapan picks ‘bear’ to define 2025 after record attacks and sightings
TOKYO, Dec 12 — A ski resort in Japan said Friday it had received reports of bear sightings while a snowboarder described how one of the animals chased him on the piste.A record 13 people have been killed by bears across the country since April, with incidents reported regularly of bears entering homes, roaming near schools and rampaging in supermarkets.“We’ve been patrolling to check if there are bear footprints every day since we received two …
·Selangor, Malaysia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left3Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 38%
12%
R 50%
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