The much-awaited unveiling of Japan's "Kanji of the Year" has resulted in a narrow win, with only a 180-vote difference between "Bear" and "Rice". The final result was announced by the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society as a way to convey the overall sentiment of the year experienced by the Japanese population.

The annual Kanji of the Year is an event in Japan designed to reflect the mood or the significant events of the past year. The voting process involves both Japanese locals and international fans of Japanese culture, and the chosen kanji character often reflects societal, environmental, economic, or political themes meaningful to the country.

In the US or the EU, there may not be a direct cultural equivalence to the Kanji of the Year. The closest parallel might be Time Magazine's Person of the Year, which similarly aims to encapsulate major themes or trends of the year through the lens of notable individuals.