News Kanji of the year 2023: 税, taxes

[thomas]

税
The Chinese character meaning "tax" (税 zei)has been chosen as the kanji that best describes this year in Japan. An association based in Kyoto that promotes the use of kanji characters announced the result of its annual poll in a calligraphy performance at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto City on Tuesday.

Photo credit: Jiji​

According to the foundation, the public chose the kanji due to tax hikes and cuts being heavily covered in the news and discussed among policymakers, with many feeling anxious about the increasing prices of gas and everyday goods. Others noted how the start of a new invoice system and debates surrounding furusato nōzei — a program that allows people to make tax payments to a municipality of their choice in return for gifts — put taxation on their minds.

Talk of taxes spurs choice for Japan’s kanji of the year

The choice came as tax hikes and cuts were heavily covered in the news and discussed among policymakers.

www.japantimes.co.jp

'Tax' chosen as kanji of the year for 2023 | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The Chinese character meaning "tax" has been chosen as the kanji that best describes this year in Japan.

www3.nhk.or.jp

 

[johnnyG]

I would have chosen 暑.

 

[johnnyG]

Or it could have been 'hallucinate'.