A Kyoto-based organisation that promotes the use of kanji announced Thursday that the character "rei" was chosen for 2019.
The selection was made in a public contest in which more than 216,000 people participated.
In a public display of the selection, the chief Buddhist priest of the Kiyomizu Temple used a brush and ink to write the character on a large sheet of Japanese washi paper.
More No Comment
Swimsuit-clad Poles fundraise with chilly swim and beach piano tunes
Protesters in Buenos Aires decry COVID vaccine scandal
Hundreds take to streets in Venezuela over murders of three women
Ultra-Orthodox Jews throw stones at police in Jerusalem
Hundreds of Danes protest against COVID restrictions in Copenhagen
Millions take sacred dip during India's Magh Mela bathing festival
Wax stars join diners at NYC restaurant for COVID-safe experience
COVID: Nice beaches deserted during city's first weekend lockdown
Russians mark sixth anniversary of opposition figure Nemtsov's killing
Israelis celebrate Purim with parade amid tighter COVID restrictions
Cellist Camille Thomas fills empty Louvre with classical music
Rollerblading police unit established in Pakistani port of Karachi
Musicians play as Myanmar coup protests continue
Wild Aussie sheep loses 35 kilos at the baaa-bers
Ecuador prison riots: Number of inmates dead in rises to 79