Japan: Nagasaki (August 9, 2025 - The 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki)

Nagasaki is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. On August 9, 1945, it became the target of the second (after Hiroshima) atomic bombing in history. The bomb, dropped by the United States during World War II, killed tens of thousands instantly and left lasting effects from radiation exposure.

Today, Nagasaki is home to several important sites of remembrance. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum documents the events and consequences of the attack, while the Peace Park serves as a memorial and a symbol of the city’s commitment to nuclear disarmament. One famous item in this Park of peace is the 13-meter-tall Peace Statue made by Seibo Kitamura (北村 西望, Kitamura Seibō) which can be seen on the postmark.

Stamps:

Definitives - Greetings and Occasion - Issued: 02-09-2024

Basic Greetings Stamps - Issued: 01-05-2024

Definitives - Issued: 02-02-2015

 

 

Many thanks to Linda!

Japan: The 150th Anniversary of Japan Meteorological Agency

In 2025, Japan celebrates the 150th anniversary of its national weather service, founded in 1875. As one of the oldest meteorological institutions in the world, it has played a vital role in disaster preparedness, climate research, and public safety.

To mark the occasion, Japan Post has issued a commemorative stamp honoring the legacy and ongoing importance of weather forecasting in a country shaped by typhoons, earthquakes, and seasonal shifts.

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of Japan Meteorological Agency (from a set of 10) - Issued: 28-05-2025

Many thanks Mitsuhiko!

 

Germany: 30 years Lufthansa nonstop Flights Munich <-> Tokyo

In November 2024, Lufthansa marked the 30th anniversary of its direct flight connection between Germany and Tokyo. The milestone highlighted three decades of strong air travel ties between the two countries. To commemorate the occasion, a special flight took place on November 18th 2024. The covers below show both the flight LH 714 from Munich to Tokyo and the way back on flight LH 715 from Tokyo to Munich.

LH714 from Munich-airport -> Tokyo, Japan

Stamp:

Special personalised Stamp "Airbus A350-900"

LH715 from Tokyo -> Munich-Airport

Stamps:

International Exposition "EXPO 2025" - Osaka, Kansai (full set) - Issued: 12-04-2024

Japan: The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

 

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) (from a set of 10) - Issued: 09-10-2024

International Letter-Writing Week (from a set of 3) - Issued: 07-10-2024

 

 

 

Many thanks to Masako!

Japan: German frigate "Baden-Württemberg" (F 222) - Mission: "Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024" (May - December 2024)

For around six months, from May to December 2024, german frigate "Baden-Württemberg" and replenishment ship "Frankfurt am Main" will be traveling westwards around the globe. The voyage is formally a so-called foreign training cruise. Above all, this means that the naval vessels and crews will use the time for their own training – especially in cooperation with various partner navies in the Indo-Pacific region. The cover below was mailed during the port call to Tokyo from 20 to 25 August 2024 with the cachet of the Crew "Echo".

 

Stamp:

Definitive Stamp "Kerria japonica" - Issued: 02-02-2015

Picture of the Ship during the port call to Tokyo:

Picture: (c)Bundeswehr/Julia Kelm

 

Japan: Mount Fuji Summit Post Office

Mount Fuji (富士山) is Japan's highest mountain (3776,24 m) and the focal point of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Visible from Tokyo on a clear day, the mountain is to the west of Tokyo on the main island Honshu, straddling the border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. The Mount Fuji Summit Post Office opened its doors only for a limited period during summer to match the Mt. Fuji climbing season. 

Many thanks to Linda for making it possible to get this nice cover from there!

Stamps:

Philatelic Week - Details of Harunobu Suzuki's Illustrations of Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki (from a set of 2) - Issued: 20-04-1981

Mount Fuji (Personalized Stamp ?) - Issued: 00-00-0000

Japan: Ogasawara Islands

The Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島 Ogasawara-shotō) are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands. Almost the whole area of the islands is included in the Ogasawara National Park. This area is known for whale watching (as can be seen on the nice pictorial cancellation). It is a tourist destination, even though the only access is via a 24 hour-long ferry ride from Tokyo. The Ogasawara Islands are about 1000 km away from Tokyo, which administers them. Of the more than 30 islands, only Chichijima (父島 "Father Island") and Hahajima (母島 "Mother Island") are inhabited. 

 

Stamps:

2002 World Figure Skating Championships (full set) - Issued: 08-03-2002

Japan: 58th Japan Philatelic Exhibition (JAPEX 2023)

The 58th JAPEX took place from 3rd to 5th November 2023. One of the Commemorative Exhibits was the "Ukrainian Stamp Exhibition". Therefore a special stamp, cover and postmark was put into circulation. I'm very happy to receive the cover below, it was exclusively painted for me by Linda. Linda developed a great philatelic project to raise money to help the Ukraine. Check out her Website: https://www.stampoutwar.com/

 Stamp:

Definitives - Greetings - Issued: 17-03-2022

 

Many thanks again Linda!

Japan: The 150th Anniversary of Railway in Japan

 

Stamps:

The 150th Anniversary of Railway in Japan (from a set of 10) - Issued: 21-09-2022

Japan: Greetings - "Autumn"

 

Stamps:

Greetings - "Autumn" (63 Y) (from a set of 10) - Issued: 09-08-2023

Many thanks to Mitsuhiko!

Japan: Japan National Rugby Team World Cup 2019

This offical personalized Rugby stamp was issued in 2019 as a set of 5 different Stamps. The matching postmark from Higashiosaka-Hanazono, Osaka prefecture was put into circulation in 2019, too. It shows the Hanazono Rugby stadium at the foot of Mt. Ikoma, Rugby Players and Cherry blossoms. Many thanks to Masako for the explanations.

Stamps:

Japan National Rugby Team - Issued: 09-07-2019

International Writing Letter Week (from a set of 5) - Issued: 07-10-2022

Japan: The G7 Summit - Hiroshima

The 49th G7 summit was held from 19 to 21 May 2023 in Hiroshima city of Hiroshima Prefecture.  Leaders of G7 countries joined in Hiroshima city to discuss a number of challenges to peace and prosperity facing the global order while consulting with invited guests. The issues discussed included the Russian invasion of Ukraine and effects on the international order, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other geopolitical crises.

Stamps:

The G7 Summit - Hiroshima (from a set of 5) - issued: 10-05-2023

Japan: Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture (沖縄県, Japanese: Okinawa-ken) is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan and has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020). Okinawa was occupied by the United States during the Allied occupation of Japan after World War II and was governed by the Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands from 1945 to 1950 and Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands from 1950 until the prefecture was returned to Japan in 1972. Okinawa comprises just 0.6 percent of Japan's total land mass, but about 26,000 (75%) of United States Forces Japan personnel are assigned to the prefecture; the continued U.S. military presence in Okinawa is controversial.

Stamp:

Unknown (maybe someone can help)

Many thanks to Linda!

Japan: Hiroshima Peace Memorial

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (広島平和記念碑, Hiroshima Heiwa Kinenhi), originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, and now commonly called the Genbaku Dome, Atomic Bomb Dome or A-Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム, Genbaku Dōmu), is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The ruin of the hall serves as a memorial to the over 140,000 people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the end of World War II.

Stamp:

World Heritage - Hiroshima buildings and Peace Stamps (from a set of 10) - Issued: 20-03-2003

Many thanks to Linda for this fantastic card!

 

See here for a Cover from Hiroshima with a different postmark.

Japan: Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito

The 2019 Japanese imperial transition occurred on 30 April 2019 when the then 85-year-old Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated from the Chrysanthemum Throne after reigning for 30 years, becoming the first Emperor of Japan to do so since 1817. The Enthronement Ceremony for Emperor Naruhito took place in Tokyo on 22 October 2019, marking the end of the transition period.

Stamps:

Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito (full set) - Issued: 18-10-2019

Many thanks to Mitsuhiko!

Japan: 50th Anniversary of Okinawa’s Return to Japan

Okinawa was returned to Japan on May 15, 1972, after 27 years under US control.

 

Stamps: 

50th Anniversary of Okinawa’s Return (from a set of 5) - Issued: 18-05-2022

Many thanks to Mitsuhiko!

Japan: International Letter-Writing Week 2021

 

Stamps:

International Letter-Writing Week 2021 - Issued: 08-10-2021

Japan: The World of Children Picture Books Pt. 3 - "Guri and Gura"

 

Stamps:

The World of Children Picture Books Pt. 3 (from a set of 10) - Issued: 28-11-2019

Many thanks to Mitsuhiko!

Japan: The 30th Anniversary of the Coronation of Emperor Akihito

Sent from the City of Hiroshima.
 

Stamps:

The 30th Anniversary of the Coronation of Emperor Akihito  - Issued: 22-02-2019

Japan: Traditional Culture Pt. 4 - Kimono

 

Stamps:

Traditional Culture - Kimono (from a set of 10) - Issued: 21-05-2021