The pervasive influence of digital media was highlighted on June 7 by the announcement of recommendations for changes in the authorized list of kanji for everyday use. A government advisory panel has proposed adding 196 kanji and removing five for a total of 2,136 characters.
Many of those to be added are difficult ones like utsu (psychological depression), which are now easier to use thanks to mobile phones and computers. In addition, ore (informal "I") has been added, as it was the most frequently used kanji on Web sites that was not included on the earlier list.