On December 14th at 4:30 p.m., a special program marking the 100th year since the start of the Showa era will air, focusing in particular on the more than six decades that defined the Showa period and revisiting Akita’s collective memories through archival footage from Akita Broadcasting and a trove of nostalgic photographs.
Actor Hiroya Shimizu admitted in court on December 8th to charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act after being accused of possessing dried marijuana at his home in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward in September, acknowledging the indictment by saying in court that the allegations were “not mistaken.”
A new feature-length animated adaptation of Peleliu — Guernica in Paradise — is coming to theaters, built on a collaboration with Mone Kamishiraishi, who performs the theme song titled “A Miracle-like Thing.” The story is based on the brutal Battle of Peleliu, where only 34 soldiers survived out of an estimated 10,000, and is being released to coincide with the 80th year since the end of the war, offering a depiction of friendship forged in the midst of devastating conflict.
Japan and Saudi Arabia moved to strengthen cooperation in the entertainment sector as officials and industry representatives gathered in Tokyo on December 2nd for a bilateral forum that highlighted new avenues for cultural exchange, including competitive gaming among high school students.
The average budget for Christmas gifts in 2025 is set to rise from 2024 as so-called age-less toys gain popularity, according to a survey released on December 2nd by the Japan Toy Association on toys people hope to give to their children or grandchildren.
Universal Studios Japan launched its annual Christmas event on November 19th, offering visitors a lineup of character greetings, seasonal foods, and a large-scale nighttime show designed to highlight the spirit of the holiday season.