An annual zodiac handover ceremony is held in Osaka ahead of the New Year.

A cold front brings heavy snow to parts of northern Japan.

Japan officially declares to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission and will restart commercial whaling next...

Special types of trees are being decorated for New Year's to bring good luck.

A reclining Buddha gets a clean-up before the new year.

Japan approves a set of policies to make life easier for prospective foreign workers.

Japan's key Nikkei index goes under 20,000 for the first time in 15 months.

Preparing these Kagami-mochi rice cake is not a piece of cake.

Santas and a reindeer hit the slopes in Gunma Prefecture bringing joy to people at a ski resort.

Employees of Japan Airlines bring some Christmas spirit to Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Christmas Eve.