Every December, Japan’s Kanji Proficiency Society reveals the kanji (Japanese alphabet) of the year, a symbol based on a nationwide survey. Last year’s kanji 密 was chosen to relate to the government’s slogan “avoid the san-mitsu“ (close contact, poor ventilation or crowded) and reflect the atmosphere of the pandemic in Japan. This year’s kanji, 金 (gold) was a reference to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. It drew some criticism online, as (some) people felt the choice was an insult to financially struggling businesses and families. It’s also dull because this is the fourth time this kanji has been…