Kanji for 2009 is "New
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December 11, 2009, Kyoto, Japan - Seihan Mori, back to camera in the background, chief abbot at Kiyomizu Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, western Japan, offers a prayer after writing the Chinese character of the year on Friday, December 11, 2009. The character, meaning "new," was chosen from 16,1365 Applications submitted for consideration to best symbolize Japan's year 2009. (Photo by Koichi Shuto/AFLO) [0444].