Shinjitai

Shinjitai are the modern, simplified forms of Japanese kanji characters used today, introduced after World War II to improve literacy and ease of writing. They replaced older, more complex variants called kyūji, reducing stroke counts and simplifying character structures while retaining their original meanings. This standardization makes reading and writing more accessible without losing the connection to traditional characters. Shinjitai are used in contemporary newspapers, books, and official documents across Japan. Overall, they serve to make written Japanese clearer and more approachable for the general population, streamlining communication while preserving the language’s rich character heritage.