Reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake.

The Year of the Snake promotes introspection, calmness, and resilience, contrasting the active and bold Year of the Dragon.

Japan's ¥10 trillion startup investment goal increasingly unlikely.

Japan aimed to boost startup investment tenfold by 2027, but has significantly fallen short of this target.

Kumamoto schools adapt to increase in Taiwanese students.

Kumamoto's public schools are seeing a surge in Taiwanese students due to TSMC's factory opening, increasing from a few to twenty.

Toru Fuyuki, 'Ultraseven' theme song composer, dies at 89.

Japanese composer Toru Fuyuki, known for the "Ultraseven" theme, died at 89 from aspiration pneumonia in Tokyo.

Japan's year-end banknote balance decreases for second consecutive year.

Japan's banknotes in circulation are expected to reach ¥124.1 trillion in 2024, marking a second consecutive annual decline.

Man stole beef, tracked by police 1,000 km across Japan.

A thief was tracked and arrested over 1,000 kilometers away for stealing two packs of ground beef in Japan.

Japanese bookstores partner with libraries for survival.

In Japan, declining bookstores are partnering with libraries for survival, prompting government support and a 2025 survey to address issues.

Japan tackling school bullying with local support.

The Children and Families Agency is engaging local governments to combat rising school bullying through a new pilot consultation program.

Toxic stereotypes drive the sex industry, from geisha to oshikatsu.

Japan's weak yen boosts tourism, but social media promotes harmful stereotypes of Japanese women linked to sex tourism.

Nikkei gains nearly 20% in 2024.

The Nikkei index fell 0.96% on the last trading day of 2024 after a strong yearly gain of nearly 20%.

Japan's G7 role grows in a fractured global landscape.

Japan's financial diplomat states the G7's role is vital amidst geopolitical tensions, supporting democracy and free trade in a divided world.

Okinawa faces increased cases of missing elderly individuals with dementia.

The number of missing dementia patients in Okinawa is rising, highlighting a growing need for community support as Japan ages.