And the Kanji of the year is...

So there's this tradition in Japan that is choosing a kanji at the end of the year, which represents the passed year.





This year, it's the kanji "絆" that has been chosen after an annual vote. Almost 60,000 people voted for this one.

"絆" is read kizuna and means bond, the bond that unifies people. It is thus, according to the voters, the most representative kanji of the year 2011, when strangers have helped each others in response to the disasters that have occurred. 
Indeed, the bonds have strengthened between families and friends (to take news of beloved ones after the tsunami, to help, ...) but also some were created when people in need saw hundreds of unknown people coming to their help. Moreover, bonds were created beyond boundaries: the whole world came to the help of Japan.


It shows a certain evolution in comparison to the previous years who were less emotionally strong. For example in 2010, the kanji selected was "shou", which means heat.


And finally, I've chosen a song named kizuna by Kamenashi Kazuya. I think the lyrics are a good representation of the word kizuna even if it's a song from 2005.
Well, it's not the entire version and it's a live but it's the only decent video I found, so enjoy