Runners-up included the characters for “rice” and “tall” or “expensive,” with voters citing a rising cost of living. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/12/japan/society/kanji-of-the-year-bears/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #kanji #nihongo #language #kiyomizutemple #kyoto #surveys