The kanji “zei” (税), which means taxes, was selected Tuesday as the character that best represents 2023, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announced.
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.