The demand for custom-made suits is growing as professionals increasingly view them as a form of self-investment rather than just “battle gear” for work. (News On Japan)

Young Japanese workers in their 20s and 30s are increasingly resistant to taking on managerial roles. According to a recent survey, Japan ranked lowest among 18 major countries in the percentage of workers aspiring to become managers. (News On Japan)

Fallout continues from a scandal involving a woman and popular TV personality Nakai Masahiro, who is best known as a former member of the disbanded pop idol group, SMAP. (NHK)

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on January 17th that the average agreed amount for last year's winter bonuses at major private companies reached 891,460 yen, an increase of 4.93% compared to the previous year. This marks the first record high in five years, surpassing the previous peak set in 2019. (News On Japan)

Corporate bankruptcies in Japan rose for the third straight year in 2024. It is the highest number since 2013. Rising prices and labor shortages were to blame in many cases. (NHK)

Kobe is set to become the first city in Japan to consider imposing a tax on vacant units in high-rise condominiums. Mayor Hisamoto expressed strong support for the measure, stressing that the city will avoid repeating the situation seen in Tokyo’s Harumi Flag development. (News On Japan)

Japan’s largest non-life insurer, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, has decided to raise the starting salary for university graduates joining the company in April next year. The salary for general positions will increase from approximately 280,000 yen to a maximum of about 410,000 yen. (News On Japan)

The deadline for the U.S. presidential order, which demanded the termination of Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of U.S. Steel within 30 days, has been extended. (News On Japan)

Japanese automakers reported last year’s new car sales in China, revealing a year-on-year decline across all three major manufacturers. In response, they are working to restructure operations and strengthen their market strategies. (News On Japan)

Fast Retailing, the operator of Uniqlo and other brands, has announced plans to raise its starting salary to 330,000 yen. (News On Japan)

The nine-day New Year holiday, often hailed as a "miraculous break," has come to an end, and everyday life is gradually resuming. However, for some, this period marked a turning point—deciding to quit their jobs. One resignation service provider reported a record-high number of client requests. (News On Japan)

Ahead of the opening of CES, the world’s largest technology expo, Sony Group and Honda have unveiled their first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) model under the ‘AFEELA’ brand. (News On Japan)

During Tuesday morning's session, the Nikkei temporarily rebounded above the 40,000 yen mark, a level last seen on December 30th, the final trading day of last year. (News On Japan)

The Tokyo stock market opened its first trading session of the year with a sharp decline, raising concerns about the state of Japan’s economy in the months ahead. The Nikkei average fell by more than 600 yen at one point compared to the previous year-end, a disappointing start for investors hoping for an optimistic beginning to 2025. (News On Japan)

Economists predict that Japan's economy will grow more than 1 percent in inflation-adjusted terms in fiscal 2025. They see wage increases giving a boost to consumer spending. (NHK)

Nippon Steel and US Steel say they have jointly filed a lawsuit against the United States government over President Joe Biden's decision to block the takeover of the American firm. (News On Japan)

US President Joe Biden has issued an order to block Nippon Steel's planned buyout of US Steel. (News On Japan)

At the first tuna auction of the year held at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, a bluefin tuna from Oma, Aomori Prefecture, was sold for 207 million yen, the second-highest price in history. (News On Japan)

The Tokyo Stock Exchange concluded its final trading session of the year, with stock prices narrowly missing the key 40,000 mark. (News On Japan)

The man who led the Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor for more than 40 years as president and chairman has died. Suzuki Osamu was 94 years old. (NHK)