THE JITTI JOURNAL

Volume 1 Issue 7

January 2026

Welcome

Happy New Year!

While the start of a new year is often marked by fireworks and cheers across the globe, celebrations in Japan are typically more meditative. A cornerstone of this transition is Joya no Kane, the tradition of welcoming the year with the resonant tolling of a temple bell.

At midnight, the air at Tokudai-ji in Tokyo was filled with this ancient sound. The bell was struck exactly 108 times, a ritual performed to purify the spirit against afflictions of the past year and to clear a path for newfound hope.

As we move forward in the year, may your 2026 be as clear and purposeful as the strike of the Tokudai-ji bell.

In This Issue

Feature Article:

Japan’s Initiatives on Revitalizing the Shipbuilding Industry

Cultural Article:

Yuki Matsuri

by Yosuke Yamashita

A new era of maritime power is unfolding. As the U.S. moves to restore dominance through executive orders and port fees on Chinese vessels, Japan is fundamentally reinventing its own domestic production base. Discover how Japan, with this strategic alliance, is reshaping global shipbuilding and what it means for the future.

by Suzannah Nevas

In this dark and chilly time of year, it’s easy to let the snow and cold get you down. Instead, why not rediscover all the joy and delight that the winter season can bring by visiting the truly magical world of the Sapporo Snow Festival?

JR East and JAL Launch High-Speed “JAL de Hakobiyun” Export Service Linking Shinkansen and International Flights

Japan sees record train users during New Year holidays

Japan Will Build World’s Largest Liquefied Hydrogen Carrier

Nagasaki and Okinawa make New York Times’ list of ‘52 places to go in 2026’

Read full article overviews on the JITTI LinkedIn Page, and follow along each week to our Articles of Note on X

New Published Research

JITTI USA analysts produce reports on timely US-Japan transportation and tourism issues. These reports are now published in English on our website! Why not check them out?

Our most recent report:

U.S. Response to the IMO Net Zero Framework and Its Background
U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 5

Read the Reports

Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading the JITTI Journal.

Until the next issue, whatever your mode, travel safely!

The JITTI USA Team

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The JITTI Journal is a bimonthly publication of the Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA (JITTI USA), in which JITTI USA shares information on transport and tourism developments in Japan and elsewhere, as well as recent JITTI USA programs. As a supplement to our regular events, we hope that the Journal likewise serves as a resource for the transport and tourism communities.

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