This year's character of the year is mitsu 密 meaning density.
Earlier this year, Japan's Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare sponsored a slogan to encourage social distancing and fight covid-19 called san三 mitsu 密. San 三means three, and mitsu 密 means density. The kanji character 三 can also be read as mitsu, conveniently converting the slogan into mitsu no mitsu. When combined with specific other characters, 密 can have three different meanings advising the public of settings to avoid to stay heathy during the pandemic.
Mippei 密閉—Closed spaces
Misshu 密集– Crowded place
Missetsu 密接– close-contact settings
As you can see, it also conveniently translates into “three Cs.”
In one public awareness campaign ad, a friendly female voice says, “Everyone, let’s avoid the three mitsu (s), please stay home as much as possible, and show self-restraint!” Although vaccines are starting to be distributed, this will probably be good advice for some time to come.
by Diana Rowland, author Japanese Business: Rules of Engagement
