sci.lang.japan FAQ / 1. Writing / 1.2. Kanji (漢字)

1.2.4. What are the jouyou kanji?

A student colours in the jouyou kanji

Photo credit: Claude Estèbe
Used under a Creative Commons licence

The jouyou kanji (常用漢字) are a list of Chinese characters, including their form, reading and stroke order, approved by the Japanese government, first published on 1 October 1981, replacing the touyou kanji (see 1.2.3. What is the difference between touyou kanji and jouyou kanji?). There is no official requirement upon Japanese people to use only these characters and their approved readings. They are simply promoted as the set of kanji which are most likely to be understood by all.

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