2025 New Year Postcards Unveiled, Price Raised to 85 Yen

TOKYO, Aug 31 (News On Japan) - New Year postcards for 2025 have been unveiled, celebrating the 'Year of the Snake,' along with other designs including ever-popular Disney characters.

Due to a comprehensive increase in postal rates, the price of plain New Year postcards will rise from the previous 63 yen to 85 yen per card.

There are 28 types of illustrated postcards with donation options, including both national and regional versions, priced at 90 yen each. Postcards with advertisements will be sold at 80 yen each.

The number of postcards to be issued is approximately 1.07 billion, a decrease of about 25% from the previous year.

Due to the spread of digitalization and changes in lifestyle, the issuance of New Year postcards has been declining for 14 consecutive years.

Sales will begin on November 1st.

Source: ANN

Osaka Ramps Up Tourist Tax to Tackle Overtourism

Osaka Prefecture’s legislative assembly approved an amendment on Tuesday to raise the accommodation tax imposed on travelers as a measure against overtourism.

Japanese-Style Town Emerges in Thailand

A new trend has emerged in Thailand, known for its friendly ties with Japan, where Japanese-style townscapes are being faithfully recreated.

Japan Struggles to Find New Uses for Abandoned Schools

In recent years, approximately 450 schools close annually in Japan, with around 20% left unused. These unused schools face potential demolition as maintenance becomes unsustainable, prompting a response from the Ministry of Education, which has launched matching sites and events to promote new uses.

H3 Rocket Launch Succeeds, Defense Satellite 'Kirameki-3' Deployed in Orbit

The next-generation flagship rocket, the H3, was launched from Tanegashima on October 4th, successfully deploying a satellite into orbit as planned. This marks the third consecutive successful launch.

Destructive Shrimp Bloom Following Noto Peninsula Earthquake

In Toyama Bay, known as a 'natural fish preserve,' a small shrimp called the 'yokoebi' has seen an explosive surge since the Noto Peninsula earthquake, causing significant damage to brand fish species.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Tokyo Stock Exchange Extends Trading Hours by 30 Minutes

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) will extend its trading hours by 30 minutes starting on November 5th. This marks the first extension of trading hours in 70 years, with the last change occurring in 1954.

Tokyo Retailer Faces Penalties for Exaggerated Teeth Whitening Claims

The Consumer Affairs Agency announced it has ordered a mail-order business based in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, which sells medicinal toothpaste and similar products, to halt certain business operations for three months due to exaggerated advertising.

Part-Timers Face Tax Hurdles as Earnings Approach 1.03 Million Yen

The '1.03 million yen income cap' raised by Democratic Party for the People leader Tamaki has become a pressing issue for many students and part-time workers. How are they managing the realities of this policy?

Destructive Shrimp Bloom Following Noto Peninsula Earthquake

Higher-priced New Year's greeting cards go on sale in Japan

Post offices around Japan have begun selling New Year's greeting cards that are priced higher this year due to a postal rate hike in October. (NHK)

Calls for Minimum Wage of 1,500 Yen as Key to Japan’s Economic Revival

The Japan Association of Corporate Executives has expressed support for Prime Minister Ishiba's goal of raising the minimum wage to ¥1,500 by the 2020s, calling for it to be achieved within three years.

Japan's Major Insurers Fined Over 2 Billion Yen

Japan's Fair Trade Commission has ordered four major insurance companies — Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, Sompo Japan, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance — to pay fines totaling over 2 billion yen for collaborating to discuss estimates and bid amounts, leading to premium increases.

Honda Recalls 650,000 Motorcycles Over Risk of Rear Wheel Lock

Honda Motor Co. has filed a recall with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism for over 650,000 motorcycles due to the risk of rear wheels locking from oil leaks, potentially leading to accidents.

< 2 3 4 5 >