Japan Post to Raise Stamp Prices

TOKYO, Jun 13 (News On Japan) - Japan Post has announced its first price increase in nearly 30 years, set to take effect this fall, unveiling new stamps and postcards.

The cost of postcards will rise from the current 63 yen to 85 yen per piece, while standard letters weighing up to 25 grams will increase from 84 yen to 110 yen.

Excluding adjustments for consumption tax hikes, this comprehensive postal rate increase marks the first since 1994.

The decline in postal mail volume, driven by the advancement of digital communication, is a key factor behind this decision.

Japan Post's postal business has faced ongoing financial challenges, with rising transportation costs leading to the first post-privatization deficit in the fiscal year 2022.

The new rates will apply to items brought to post office counters from October 1 onwards. However, mail deposited in post boxes will be delivered at current rates if collected during the first pickup of October 1.

Source: ANN

World’s Longest 150-Meter Rail Departs for Hokkaido on Freight Train

Transportation of a 150-meter railway rail—the longest in the world—manufactured at a steelworks in Kitakyushu City, began on April 18th. The rail will be delivered to Hokkaido over the course of about four days for use in the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension project.

Japan Obesity Society Warns Against Women's Desire To Be Thin

The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity has issued a warning about the health risks of excessive thinness and poor nutrition among women, positioning what it calls 'women's underweight and malnutrition syndrome' as a newly recognized health condition.

Why Are Japan’s Street Ramen Stalls Vanishing?

Once a familiar and comforting presence on urban streets, Japan's cherished ramen stalls are quietly fading away as stricter regulations, an aging workforce, and evolving consumer preferences make their survival increasingly difficult.

Bear Sinks Teeth Into Live Deer as Tourists Watch From Hotel Window

A bear attacking a live deer outside a hotel in Kamikawa, Hokkaido, has shocked onlookers and prompted heightened alert from local authorities.

Strong Winds Cause 'Shaky Landings' at Narita Airport

Strong winds battered wide areas of Japan on April 15th, disrupting air travel, toppling trees in central Tokyo, and fueling a fire that burned down homes in Toyama.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

World's First Eco-Friendly Aviation Fuel Factory Begins Full Operation

A factory that converts discarded tempura oil into jet fuel using a world-first method has officially begun full-scale operations in Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture.

SoftBank Launches 65 Billion Yen AI Data Center Project in Hokkaido

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 15th in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, for one of Japan's largest data centers, which is scheduled for completion in fiscal 2026.

Rice Disappears from Store Shelves as Prices Top 6,000 Yen

Rice prices in Japan have surged dramatically, with 5-kilogram bags now commonly priced in the 3,000 to 4,000 yen range and in some cases exceeding 6,000 yen including tax. This price surge has caught consumers off guard, and supermarkets are experiencing both high prices and shortages.

Who Chose Espinosa as Nissan's New CEO?

Nissan’s new president, 46-year-old Ivan Espinosa, may symbolize change for the struggling automaker. However, his appointment raises eyebrows: Espinosa previously served as head of product planning—a role directly tied to the decline in the company’s brand appeal.

Behind the Expo: Business Talks Hold the Key to Success

While the purpose of World Expositions has evolved over time, the 2020 Dubai Expo hosted 98 business events, drawing over 25,000 participants from more than 130 countries, both in-person and online. Events covered themes like space and medicine, offering opportunities for companies to hold negotiations.