Japan's tourism surge raises costs, hurting local business travelers.

Yoshiki Kojima's employees stay in capsule hotels due to rising tourism costs making regular rooms too expensive for business travel.

Nozawa Fire Festival: Traditional event in Nozawa Onsen, Japan, featuring fire-laden rituals, community participation, and celebration of cultural heritage.

The Nozawa Fire Festival, held on January 15, involves a ceremonial fiery battle to purify participants for the new year.

Japanese KitKat collaborates with Pizza Hut for a new limited edition.

KitKat and Pizza Hut collaborate to create a unique, luck-infused pizza aimed at supporting Japanese students during exam season.

Japan bank lending reaches record high by end of 2024.

Japan's bank lending reached a record ¥605.8 trillion in 2024, driven by strong corporate demand and rising raw material costs.

Japan-ify your cooking for unique flavors.

Sonoko Sakai's life influences her cookbook "Wafu Cooking," featuring quick, unique recipes that blend Japanese and Western culinary traditions.

Kyoto plans to raise hotel guest taxes, aiming for Japan’s highest accommodation tax.

Kyoto plans to raise its accommodation tax to 10,000 yen per person per night, targeting high-end hotel guests by 2026.

Overseas anime market surpasses Japan; potential cultural tipping point.

In 2023, anime's overseas revenue exceeded Japan's for the second time, driven partly by currency fluctuations, reaching 3.3465 trillion yen.

Fast Retailing increases starting monthly salary to ¥330,000.

Fast Retailing will raise starting salaries by 10% to attract talent, enhancing pay and benefits for new and existing employees.

Japan's deadliest food poses risks, yet it remains a New Year’s tradition.

Despite its choking hazards, mochi remains a cherished New Year's tradition in Japan, symbolizing vitality and good fortune.

Tokyo aims to alleviate childbirth's physical and financial burdens.

Tokyo plans to offer a subsidy for epidural childbirths in 2025 to support women and address declining birth rates.

Japan's traffic deaths reach third-lowest level in 2024.

In 2024, Japan's traffic deaths fell to 2,663, the third-lowest ever, with an increase in fatalities among seniors.

Japanese parties fail to leverage social media well.

Japanese political parties are leveraging social media for the upcoming House of Councilors election, aiming for viral content without populism.