Happy New Year 2017!

Or, "akemashite omedeto gozaimasu" in Japanese. The New Year's holidays in Japan typically last through Jan. 3, with schools and businesses reopening on Jan. 4.
Read the New Year's Reflection from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the link below:

New Year's Greeting from Consul General

Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Akira Chiba wished a Happy New Year to all in Southern California and Arizona in his greeting.
Consul General Chiba's New Year's Greeting below:

Prime Minister Abe in Hawaii 

From December 26 to 27, Prime Minister Abe paid a highly-anticipated visit to Hawaii. The visit included a Japan-U.S. summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and a trip by the two leaders to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, where they emphasized the strong Japan-U.S. friendship. 

WAW! 2016 Held

The World Assembly for Women was held in Tokyo on December 13 and 14 as participants from around the world gathered to discuss women's empowerment and other issues. The WAW! 2016 Conference was established as part of an effort to achieve, "A Society Where Women Shine" - an initiative promoted by the government of Prime Minister Abe.
For more information:

Japan Marks 60th Anniversary Since Joining the United Nations

Japan joined the United Nations on Dec. 18, 1956. To mark the 60th anniversary of Japan's Accession to the U.N., Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a commemorative ceremony on Dec. 19 in Tokyo.
Read more here:

Getting Ready for the Tokyo Olympics 2020

Preparations for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics 2020 are picking up steam. Find out more about the games' facilities, which will include legacy venues used at the 1964 Games and new sites under development.
Meanwhile, the emblems designed for the Tokyo 2020 Games reference the ichimatsu moyo checkered pattern from the Edo period. The emblems incorporate different rectangular shapes, which are symbols of unity in diversity to represent the different countries and people who will be at the Games.

2017 Japanese American Leadership Delegation

The participants of the 2017 Japanese American Leadership Delegation, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, have been selected. The delegation will travel to Japan from March 3-11, 2017 and meet with senior government officials, and business and community leaders. Ms. Leslie Ito, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, will represent the Los Angeles region. Learn more about the program and delegation members here:

2017 Nengajo Contest Winners Announced!

The Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. announced the winners of its 2017 Nengajo Competition, organized by the embassy's Japan Information & Culture Center. The contest drew submissions from around the world, including three entrants from our jurisdiction recognized in the runners-up and honorable mentions categories.
To see the winning entries, please see here:

X-mas Gifts Delivery to International Space Station!

At an altitude of some 400 kilometers, or 249 miles, the International Space Station hovers well beyond Santa's range of delivery capability, so Japan's unmanned delivery spacecraft, Kounotori 6, filled the gap with holiday presents as well as nearly six tons of experiments, service equipment and very welcome fresh food and water.
More details on this successful mission here:

Japan Travel Videos Online!

Check out useful travel tips and brilliant ideas for your next trip to Japan on this video channel curated by the Japan National Tourism Organization. Dozens of videos already, with new ones uploaded all the time.
Tune in right here:

2016 Tokyo Toy Maker Faire

Tapping into the eccentric geniuses, the gifted crafters or brilliant artists among us, the Tokyo Maker Faire is an event that will inspire, entertain and amaze. For instance, perhaps only there can we witness robotic bears engage in professional wrestling style grudge matches! See the links below for that, and much more:

Haven't found the perfect 2017 calendar yet? Look no further...

The Japan National Tourism Organization has desktop calendars featuring beautiful landscapes of different regions in Japan. Each month showcases a different area in Japan. The picture above, for January, was taken in Iwate Prefecture.

Holiday of the Month: Seijin no Hi "Coming of Age Day"

Coming of Age Day

Japan's Coming of Age Day is a national holiday that falls every year in January on the second Monday of the month. Local governments host special ceremonies for 20-year olds, to mark their entry into "adulthood." Women who attend the ceremonies may dress in traditional furisode -- a kimono with extra-long sleeves that are worn by unmarried women. 
Read more here: