News Number of 2025 nengajō drops by a third

[thomas]

Japan Post released preliminary figures for New Year's Day card deliveries, revealing a significant decline. Approximately 491 million cards were delivered nationwide, a 33% decrease from the 743 million cards delivered in 2024. The average number of cards per person also dropped from 6 to 4. This decline is attributed to the recent postal fee hike, which increased the cost of New Year postcards from 63 yen to 85 yen, as well as the growing popularity of social media for exchanging greetings.

Mail deliverers carrying New Year's cards leave the Shinjuku Post Office in Tokyo (photo credit: Fujita Tomoya)​

Number of New Year postcards nationwide 33% lower than in 2024

Japan Post announced Wednesday a preliminary figure for the number of New Year cards (nengajo) delivered on New Year's Day. According to the report, about 491 million cards were delivered nationwide, down 33% from the previous year (743 million in 2024). The average number of cards delivered per...

japantoday.com

The preliminary figure is less than half the number of New Year's cards delivered on 1 January 2022. More than 2 billion nengajo arrived at the recipients' homes on the first day of 2011. Japan Post substantially raised postage fees in October for the first hike in 30 years, excluding increases in the consumption tax rate. The charge for a postcard rose from 63 yen to 85 yen. The company issued 1.07 billion nengajo last year, which marked the 14th consecutive year of decline as more people are choosing to exchange New Year greetings by email and social media. The postage hike is believed to have prompted additional people to discontinue the custom of sending nengajo, which feature numbers for a special lottery.

Number of New Year’s cards for delivery on Jan. 1 halved in 3 years | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

www.asahi.com

Our nengajō score so far (however, we had a death in the family this year):

Sent: 0
Received: 0

 

[Grandpa Frank]

We send about 2/3's E-cards now days. Jacquie Lawson ones cover almost anything.

 

[dracuella]

No one sends postcards or letters here anymore. We've had a price hike, too, but the person who decided what it should land on must have had a brain aneurysm. Any letter, postcard or similar below 100g is 29dkk or $4. A latter abroard is $8.

Just tell us outright if you want to dismantle the postal service!

 

[Lothor]

We send about 2/3's E-cards now days. Jacquie Lawson ones cover almost anything.

I've been whittling down my Christmas card list because of the cost and the fact that most people don't bother. I never do electronic cards and find the Jacquie Lawson ones horribly twee (sorry, GF!). I'm always happy to receive a card or an email at Christmas but think that electronic cards make a half-arsed compromise.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I have to confess , sending out cards is a "wifely duty" in my house. I think the last time I mailed anything was 69-73 while in the Navy to back home.

 

[Majestic]

↑ Same in the Majestic house.
Mrs. Majestic still sends out physical cards, and she still recieves physical cards.
We have a shelf with maybe 12-15 cards on it, all for Mrs. Majestic.

But this trend of nengajo dying out, I think it is both a good one, and inevitable, although I feel a slight twinge of regret that yet another cherished-yet-burdensome Japanese tradition gets sent to the memory hole. It is truly outdated, wasteful, and a time drain. Much more convenient to wish one another a happy new year by text or SNS. But the loss of another opportunity to contact friends and family through the written word (not to mention the raffle prizes that come with the official Japan Post nengajo) is to be slightly mourned.

I see my wife's shelf decorated with cards, and I feel a bit sad that my kids won't have this kind of little joy in their lives.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I haven't sent nengajo out since maybe the year I left Japan or so. Nowadays we do Christmas cards to select family. I think we sent out about 8 or so this year. We don't bother with digital cards, and we always hand-write the address and message in the card.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I haven't sent a "Nengajo-Jimai" card to inform others that I'm discontinuing New Year's cards, but since last year, I've been using LINE for New Year's greetings.

A New Trend: "Nengajo-Jimai" — Communicating the End of Sending New Year's Cards, Changes in Stores
Kagoshima City (Dec. 10, 2024, 6:25 PM)

As the New Year approaches, the sale of traditional Japanese New Year's greeting cards, nengajo, is in full swing. However, a new trend called "nengajo-jimai"—notifying others that you will no longer send New Year's cards—has begun to influence how stores display their products.

By the second week of December, commercial facilities in the city are filled with items evoking the New Year's spirit. One shop, which has been selling New Year's cards since November 1, offers 400 different designs.

When asked about their nengajo habits, shoppers shared mixed responses:
Q: Do you send New Year's cards every year?

• "Yes, I send them to friends and bosses. I think about what words would make them happy."
• "No, I don't. It's a bit of a hassle. With emails becoming popular, we just exchange greetings that way."

One woman, who returned to Japan three years ago after living in the U.S. for over 20 years, shared her perspective:

• "In the U.S., it's the same—people send Merry Christmas and Happy New Year cards. Since I'm in Japan now, I want to embrace Japanese traditions."

This store reports that its nengajo sales are at 103.4% compared to the same period in 2023. Particularly popular designs include snake motifs styled like mizuhiki (traditional Japanese cord decorations) and lucky charm patterns. Unique designs that spark conversation also draw attention.

Meanwhile, significant changes are noticeable in the store.

Manami Mikawa, Announcer:
*"Amid the variety of nengajo designs, what stands out in recent years is the inclusion of these 'Nengajo-Jimai' cards."

"Nengajo-Jimai" refers to cards sent to inform others that the sender is discontinuing their practice of sending New Year's cards. This store has tripled its lineup of such cards compared to 2023.

Originally known as "end-of-life nengajo," these cards were typically sent by older adults who could no longer manage the task. However, in recent years, people of all ages have started using them for various reasons, contributing to the growing popularity of nengajo-jimai.

These cards convey the decision to stop sending nengajo while expressing gratitude and care for the recipient.

Riyuki Aya, Store Manager at Kagoshima Loft:
"Some people feel it's impolite to simply fade out without saying anything. These cards allow them to communicate, 'I will stop sending nengajo,' while offering alternative greetings, such as through social media. They've been steadily selling."

Additionally, new variations include cards like the "Gomenjo" (Apology Card) for those who are late in sending their nengajo. These cards, with their charming illustrations, are perfect for belated New Year greetings and are sure to bring a smile to recipients.

The evolving form of nengajo reflects the changing times, offering a glimpse into the diverse circumstances of today's senders and recipients.