News On Japan

Japan's Year-End Jumbo Lottery Kicks Off Nationwide

TOKYO, Nov 20 (News On Japan) - Sales for the Year-End Jumbo Lottery, which offers a combined prize of 1 billion yen for the first prize and adjacent prizes, have officially begun.

A lottery buyer commented, "I purchased 120,000 yen worth. If I win, my first plan is an overseas trip. I’d like to visit Europe."

The Year-End Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on November 20th through lottery outlets and the official website.

Each ticket is priced at 300 yen, with a first prize of 700 million yen and adjacent prizes of 150 million yen each.

Including the simultaneously released Year-End Jumbo Mini, there are over 14,000 prizes of 1 million yen or more.

Tickets will be sold until December 21st, with the drawing scheduled to take place on New Year’s Eve.

Source: ANN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Legionella bacteria have been detected in multiple locations at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, prompting health and safety measures. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, seawater collected on June 3rd from the Water Plaza, where water shows are held, was found to contain Legionella bacteria at 20 times the guideline limit.

The number of babies born in Japan in 2024 fell below 700,000 for the first time since recordkeeping began in 1899, highlighting the nation’s accelerating demographic crisis. According to population statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 4th, the number of births dropped to 686,061—down more than 40,000 from the previous year.

Three major convenience store chains will soon begin selling government stockpiled rice in small packages of 1 to 2 kilograms. FamilyMart will start selling rice harvested in 2021—classified as old stock—at 20 locations in Tokyo and Osaka starting June 6th. The rice will be priced at 360 yen per kilogram, excluding tax, with plans for a nationwide rollout.

Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and other institutions are moving to revise rules on the use of safe deposit boxes following a string of thefts, with the Japanese Bankers Association now working toward a ban on storing cash in these boxes.

Shigeo Nagashima, one of Japan’s most iconic postwar figures and known as "Mr. Pro Baseball," has died at the age of 89, it was learned on June 3rd. A native of Chiba Prefecture, Nagashima helped define an era of professional baseball and became a national hero.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

The Nintendo Switch 2 was released on June 5th, drawing large crowds and reigniting concerns over scalping, as demand far outstripped supply and resale prices soared to more than double the retail value.

Hana Sugisaki appeared at the 62nd Galaxy Awards ceremony held in Tokyo on June 2nd, where she was honored with the Individual Award in the television category. The accolade, presented by the Broadcast Critics Association, recognized her performances in the dramas "Unmet: A Neurosurgeon's Diary" and "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea."

The film Frontline is a powerful dramatization based on true events, portraying the individuals who took on Japan’s first major COVID-19 outbreak. Featuring an ensemble cast including Shun Oguri, Tori Matsuzaka, Sosuke Ikematsu, and Yosuke Kubozuka, the story centers around the events of February 2020 at the Port of Yokohama, where an unknown virus had begun to spread.

Kabuki actors including Kankuro Nakamura took part in a traditional boat procession in Fukuoka on May 31st to promote next month's Grand Kabuki performances at the Hakataza Theater.

After seeing her wedding kimono for the first time, Miyo can't help but get a little emotional. (Netflix Anime)

This week we continue our exploration of the fascinating state of kabuki in 1925. (Kabuki In-Depth)

The film Detchiage is set for nationwide release on June 27th and revolves around the devastating consequences of false accusations, particularly those made by minors.

Every year, the “Salaryman Senryu” competition captures the mood of the times through humorous verse, and this year’s top ten results were announced on May 29th.