Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s December 25, and that can mean only one thing: we’re currently either lying on our couches watching Die Hard on loop or are slumped over a table somewhere, breathing heavily and sweating a combination of chocolate Santas and Colonel Sanders’ secret mix of 11 herbs and spices.
We’ll be slowing things down a little over the next for days to get in some much-needed R&R, but rest assured there will still be plenty of Japan and Asia-related news, weirdness, cats and hamster bottoms to keep you going over the year-end break, so be sure to check back soon!
So from me and all of our sexy, hard-working writers here at RocketNews24, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Fantastic Festivus, or whatever else you want to call this time of year. Thank you, as ever, for stopping by our site. Now go and spend some time with the people you love or, failing that, eat some more fried chicken.
RocketNews24
xxx
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Studio Ghibli unveils new finger puppets featuring anime characters from My Neighbour Totoro
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Japanese convenience store Lawson now has stir-fried noodle-cooking robot chefs
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
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New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Studio Ghibli unveils new finger puppets featuring anime characters from My Neighbour Totoro
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Japanese convenience store Lawson now has stir-fried noodle-cooking robot chefs
Over 400 titles of free translated manga from publisher Shueisha available for a limited time
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Bandai looking to introduce Japanese government ID checks for admission to card game events
Resident Evil’s terrifying Licker becomes a bag in Japan that wants to feed you
Japan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Weekly Shonen Jump cancels manga after creator admits to schoolgirl groping
Nendroid Face Maker lets you custom design faces for Japan’s most popular anime figure line