Conductor Miho Hazama probably wasn’t expecting such a jazzy greeting when she touched down in Copenhagen!
greeting
Well, folks, we’ve done it again. We’ve somehow survived yet another year without being wiped off the face of the planet or the interwebs, and I’m happy to report that our humble shrine to news, entertainment and general weirdness from Japan and Asia is now bigger, busier, and – dare I say it – slightly better looking than ever before.
Last year went by in a flash for us. Our team grew from 15 to 22, and we put out roughly twice the amount of content that we did in 2013. In return, we saw our readership positively explode, and now almost 190,000 of you kind souls allow our quirky news nuggets to appear alongside your friends’ tedious selfies and photos of their hideous children in your Facebook feed. It may sound like a bit of a cliché, but we really wouldn’t be here without you, and it’s only thanks to our readers that we’re able to keep on growing and can keep Mr Sato stocked with the Cuban cigars and exotic silk underwear he so voraciously consumes each day.
Despite our recent growth spurt, RocketNews24 is still staffed by a very close-knit team. Unlike some faceless media machine operated by corporate giants, we still get fuzzies when you like us and feel genuinely disappointed when you don’t. We read every single one of your comments (yes, even the long, ranting ones that make us want to double-check that the front door’s locked before heading to bed) and we take what you say to heart. We aim to make RocketNews24 a place that people like to come to for everything from commentary on recent news events and Japanese internet chatter to cooking tips and the latest from our Asian feline overlords, and it’s through your feedback that we know where and how we need to improve. So thank you. Your clicks and comments mean a lot.
Lest you worry that, what with all this back-patting and uncharacteristic seasonal cheer, we’re about to start slacking off, let me assure you that we have big plans for 2015. I won’t spoil any surprises, but I can say that we’ve already started work on a couple of projects that we think you’ll really like, and which – should the Internet gods be so kind as to shine their rays of benevolent fibre optic light on us – will soon become a regular part of RocketNews24. We’ll also be aiming to increase our output even further and will be striving to bring you not just better quality news and original content but to deliver it faster than ever before.
Once again, a genuine thank you from everyone here at RocketNews24 for all your support throughout 2014. No matter what your friends and colleagues may say behind your back, to us you are a vision of loveliness, and we don’t think you smell like turnips or wet suede shoes in the slightest.
Happy 2015! Here’s to a great Year of the Sheep!


Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Burger King Japan’s Great King Yeti is the latest evolution of One Pounders
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Burger King Japan’s Great King Yeti is the latest evolution of One Pounders
7-Eleven showcases its newest robots for cleaning, stocking, and customer service
Häagen-Dazs Japan releases new ASMR ice cream called “Rocky Crunchy!”
Japanese breast size study shows rapid growth in previously smallest-busted region of county
Dragon Quest Slime toys appear at McDonald’s Japan in crossover with Grimace and pals【Video】
Discover your secret charm at Kate’s mansion of emotions at Universal Studios Japan
Japan’s new luxury overnight bus is the conveniently classy way to get from Tokyo to Osaka
New line of Ranma 1/2 lifestyle and fashion anime goods is here to help fans feel complete【Pics】
Why is there a wrestling ring in the Underground Arena fighting bar in Kabukicho?