汉字在日本，正在逐渐走向灭绝？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the decline of kanji usage in Japan, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of kanji while addressing the shift towards a more phonetic and Westernized language structure in contemporary Japanese society [9][30]. Historical Context - Kanji was introduced to Japan during the Asuka period (645 AD) as part of a cultural and political overhaul inspired by the Tang Dynasty in China [12][13]. - The integration of kanji into the Japanese language created a unique linguistic system that combined elements of both Chinese and Japanese, leading to complexities in pronunciation and meaning [14][15]. Decline of Kanji - In recent years, there has been a significant reduction in kanji usage, with estimates indicating that only about 1,600 kanji are commonly mastered by the general population, a stark contrast to the historical usage of 6,000 to 10,000 kanji [30][29]. - The movement to reduce kanji began in the Meiji era, influenced by a desire to modernize and align with Western cultures, culminating in drastic reductions post-World War II [24][28]. Impact on Language and Culture - The decline of kanji has led to increased ambiguity in the Japanese language, as phonetic scripts (hiragana and katakana) struggle to convey precise meanings [21][29]. - The manufacturing sector still requires a higher proficiency in kanji, indicating that industries demanding precision in communication are more reliant on kanji [31][32]. Western Influence - The article notes a trend towards "Yōjimbo" (a mix of Japanese and English), where English terms are increasingly adopted into everyday language, further complicating the linguistic landscape [33][35]. - The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of English terms in Japanese, highlighting a cultural shift towards Westernization [39]. Conclusion - The article concludes that Japan's attempt to eliminate kanji in favor of a more Westernized language structure may lead to cultural and communicative challenges, as seen in other East Asian countries that have abandoned their traditional scripts [42].