The Athletics Awards, an annual ceremony organized by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, was held on December 19th in Tokyo. Haruka Kitaguchi, who became the first female athlete to win the annual MVP award for two consecutive years, expressed her mixed emotions during the event.

A cold wave bringing midwinter-like temperatures swept across regions from Kanto to Kyushu starting on Wednesday night, resulting in the first snowfall observed in areas such as central Tokyo and Kumamoto.

JTB’s President Eijiro Yamakita addressed the challenges facing the travel industry due to the weak yen during a panel discussion. While outbound travel has only recovered to about 60% of pre-pandemic levels, Yamakita emphasized the importance of fostering "engagement" to drive recovery.

Japan has set a new record for inbound tourists, with 33.38 million visitors from January to November this year, surpassing the previous high in 2019. Tokyo’s Asakusa district remains a popular destination, drawing large crowds of international visitors.

The novel Sunset Sunrise by Shuhei Nire has been adapted into a live-action drama starring Masaki Suda, known for works such as Cloud. The story follows a young man who relocates from Tokyo to a small town in the Sanriku region of northeastern Japan after his workplace adopts remote work policies.

Honda has introduced new hybrid technology that combines an engine and electric motors, as demand for electric vehicles rises in the push toward decarbonization.

Japanese 'kira-kira names,' with atypical pronunciation or meaning, could soon be partially accepted under certain conditions, according to proposed guidelines from Japan's Ministry of Justice.

Keio University professor Nakamura highlighted research showing that participation in sports and leadership activities during childhood could lead to higher future earnings. Studies found that boys involved in high school sports earned 4.2% to 14.8% more than their peers 11 years after graduation, while similar research indicated that women benefited even more.

On December 13th, it was announced that a new joint venture will be established to advance the collaborative development of the next-generation fighter jet involving Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

Keidanren has decided to appoint Yoshinobu Tsutsui, chairman of Nippon Life Insurance, as the successor to current chairman Masakazu Tokura, who will retire in May 2025. This marks the first time a leader from a financial institution has been selected to head Keidanren.

Join Shizuka at one of byFood’s best-selling food experiences, Chef Yoshi Shishido’s ramen-making class in Tokyo! This experienced chef and former ramen restaurant owner shares all his secrets for a perfect bowl, from making noodles from scratch to preparing the toppings and the broth like a pro. (Japan by Food)

Japan’s aerospace ambitions have faced a turbulent journey, with the MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) project standing as a stark reminder of the challenges in the competitive global aviation industry.

A man impersonating a plainclothes police officer has been arrested for extortion in Tokyo's Akihabara district, allegedly accusing store customers of illicit filming and coercing them into paying money.

In 2003, anime auteur Kon Satoshi released Tokyo Godfathers, an anime Christmas classic. Find out more about this socially and seasonally relevant film. (Unseen Japan)

Season’s strongest cold wave is causing a sharp increase in snowfall, particularly in northern Japan. Heavy snow is expected to continue until December 15th, with potential disruptions to transportation.

The government is revising its energy policy framework for the first time in three years. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the policy has included a commitment to "reduce dependency on nuclear power as much as possible." However, it has been revealed that discussions are underway to remove this wording.

Concern about the growing use of cannabis in Japan, particularly among young people, has prompted new legislation banning the use of cannabis, starting from December 12th.

A man in his 40s was arrested in Tokyo on December 4th for riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol, marking the first arrest in the city since stricter penalties for bicycle DUI came into effect in November.

Uber's Japanese subsidiary announced on December 11th the launch of 'Uber Teens,' a ride-hailing service designed for teenagers aged 13 to 17.

Mitsubishi Electric has revealed the new HTV-X unmanned supply vehicle, designed to transport goods to the International Space Station (ISS).

Local media in the United States reported that President Joe Biden plans to block Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel, citing national security concerns. Following this report, Nippon Steel announced that it would provide a one-time bonus to US Steel employees if the acquisition is completed.

The Tokyo District Court has sentenced a former junior high school principal to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting and injuring a female student 14 years ago. (NHK)

The Cabinet Office announced the revised GDP figures for the July-September period of 2024, showing a 0.3% increase in real terms compared to the previous three months. On an annualized basis, the growth rate was adjusted upward to 1.2%, from the initial estimate of 0.9%.

The rare celestial event known as Saturn occultation, where Saturn hides behind the Moon, was visible Sunday night for the first time in 22 and a half years under conditions minimally affected by sunlight or moonlight.

Step into the heart of Ginza this December and experience the enchanting Christmas window displays that light up Tokyo’s luxury shopping district. Each high-end store presents its own unique holiday theme, creating a one-of-a-kind visual feast. (Video Street View Japan)