Japan Forward

Each year, Japan Forward unveils its New Year Kanji, a tradition that shares a meaningful character with the world.👉https://lnkd.in/gqvMdydt For 2025, the chosen kanji is 輝 (kagayaki), meaning "shine." This powerful symbol was selected by renowned calligrapher Shoko Kanazawa, 39, who has Down syndrome, together with her mother, Yasuko, 81. With a glowing smile, Shoko boldly inscribed 輝 and encouraged, "Let's all shine brightly this year!" #shokokanazawa #newyearkanji #japanforward #calligraphy

Japan's Emperor Welcomes Thousands at New Year's Greeting in Tokyo👉https://lnkd.in/g_Nh_Ur4 Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and other imperial family members greeted the public from the Tokyo Imperial Palace in early January. 📷 Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, their daughter Princess Aiko, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emeritus Michiko, and other members of the Imperial Family attend the New Year Public Greeting on the morning of January 2 at the Imperial Palace. (©Sankei by Yoshinori Saito)

Predictions 2025: Japan's Startups Ready to Shine in the Year of the Snake👉https://lnkd.in/giUKwtUu Japanese startups are primed for 2025, with #SakanaAI, #semiconductor growth, and global events like the #OsakaExpo fueling innovation and momentum. Analysis by Arielle Busetto. #JapanForward #Predictions #Japan #Startups

INTERVIEW | What Happened in South Korea with Katsuhiro Kuroda👉https://lnkd.in/gXCb3Hug Veteran journalist Katsuhiro Kuroda talks about the political chaos in South Korea, what's behind it, and how the outcome could affect relations with Japan. 📷 Katsuhiro Kuroda, award-winning Japanese journalist (©Kenji Yoshida)

EDITORIAL | Japan's Economy Can Only Rally with Bolder Business Strategies👉https://lnkd.in/gkGqbpGQ   To ride out great changes in the global economy, Japanese firms should avoid obsession with past successes. Government must support their bold strategies. 📷 Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muro (©Sankei by Tomotaka Nakamura)

Predictions 2025: Unsettled New Year in East Asia👉https://lnkd.in/gDihgaph A salami-slicing Chinese territorial expansion approach, slate of new leaders, and leftover impacts of the pandemic will shape East Asia's posture in 2025. Analysis by Dr Rajaram Panda. #JapanForward #Predictions #Japan #EastAsia #Geopolitics

Predictions 2025: Sumo Looking Beyond the Terunofuji Era for Others to Step Up👉https://lnkd.in/gtfS58nv Ozeki grapplers Kotozakura, Onosato and Hoshoryu are the leading candidates to reach the pinnacle in the New Year and other sumo predictions for 2025. #JapanForward #Predictions #Sumo

Veteran golfer Hideki Matsuyama carded a 35-under 257 to win The Sentry, the PGA TOUR's season-opening event, in #Hawaii. It was his 11th #PGA Tour victory.

As in recent years, our strategist Peter Tasker has written a piece for Japan Forward providing his predictions for 2025, the Year of the Snake, and reviewing some of his forecasts made this time last year. https://lnkd.in/ekFCuqKH

Predictions 2025: Japan's Figure Skaters Poised to Continue Stature on World Stage👉https://lnkd.in/gnGHy4r7 Reigning champions Kaori Sakamoto and Mao Shimada will vie for world and world junior titles, respectively, and other predictions for 2025. Analysis by Jack Gallagher. #JapanForward #Predictions #Japan #Sports #Figureskating