While going all in on excess, the 76th edition of NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen” reminded viewers why the New Year’s Eve musical bonanza still matters. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2026/01/05/music/kohaku-uta-gassen/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #jpop #japanesetv #newyear #nhk #oshogatsu #kohakuutagassen
Trying to keep a fitness resolution this year? In Japan, it turns out how we talk about our goals — and who we share them with — can help. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/01/02/language/japanese-new-years-resolutions/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #language #nihongo #vocabulary #newyears #oshogatsu
Following her first encounter with “Christmas cake” in 1975, an American writer began to establish her own holiday traditions and menus by blending cultures and communities. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/22/voices/christmas-new-years-meals-memories/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #voices #expats #christmas #oshogatsu #newyear #rurallife
A Japanese nonprofit organization's survey showed 32.8% of young people who are not financially secure are worried about how to get by during the upcoming year-end and New Year's holiday season. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/02/japan/new-year-youth-poverty/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #surveys #newyear #food #poverty #oshogatsu
For this year’s New Year’s Eve “Kohaku” broadcast, Okinawan rockers Orange Range are back after 19 years, while new-kawaii J-Pop group Fruits Zipper are set to make their debut. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/11/14/entertainment-news/kohaku2025-masaaki-sakai-j-pop/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #entertainmentnews #kohakuutagassen #nhk #idols #jpop #japanesetv #newyear #oshogatsu #chanmina