Mint condition Japan stamps new issues are released on a regular basis by the Japanese postal service. The quality of color and print, the attention to detail, and the selection of images make them very collectible in the eyes of Japan philatelists and Japanese stamp collectors all over the world.
Japan local issue stamps or 'kitte' can be a great reflection of Japanese culture, one example of which are the recently issued exotic ukiyo-e Japanese postage stamps.
Please take some time and look at the just released new issue Japan stamps below. We will regularly update this page as soon as the Japan Post Service announces the release of new Japanese stamps.
For a large variety of 'older' Japan stamps, including furusato hometown stamps, Japanese commemorative stamps, Japan anniverary stamps, and Japan animation postage stamps, please refer to our main menu selection on the left.
Japanese zodiac letters calligraphy are the theme of this special issue Japan stamps sheet. The sheet shows twelve different ways of writing the character for the snake sign.
Though Japan, in the 19th century, moved rapidly towards Westernization, the lunar calendar continues to influence Japanese daily life. Having learned astrology from the Chinese, the earliest extant Japanese horoscope dates back to 1112 A.D.
The system of the twelve-year cycle of the animal signs was built from the observations of the orbit of Jupiter around the sun. The astronomers divided the celestial circle into twelve sections and rounded it up to 12 years. The 60 year cycle is made of two distinct cycles. The first is the cycle of ten heavenly stems. The second is the cycle of the twelve zodiac animal signs. They are in order as follows: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar.
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The commemorative Japanese stamps shown on the below sheet, illustrate twelve different styles of calligraphy that stand for the snake zodiac. They are from top to bottom:
The bottom left hand side of the Japan local issue stamps sheet shows the snake wrapped around a Japanese fukubukuro lucky bag. Issue date for these Japan stamps new issues is November 21, 2012. Price: US$ 28.60 |
Disney characters are very popular among children and women of all ages in Japan. The Japan Post, in cooperation with Walt Disney Japan is issuing two Japanese stamp sheets featuring the most recognizable and beloved Disney characters.
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The commemorative Japanese stamps on the left picture the following Disney characters:
Price: US$ 12.60 SOLD OUT |
The Disney Japan animation stamps to the right depict these beloved characters:
Currently SOLD OUT |
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Release date for these Japan stamps new issues is November 20, 2012.
Japanese traditional craft are the focus of this new Japanese stamps sheet.
The many and varied traditional handicrafts of Japan are officially recognized and protected. Some enjoy status as ameibutsu or regional specialty.
Some of the most famous Japanese crafts and products are shown on these commemorative Japanese stamps.
The above Japan stamps new issues sheet show the following images (left to right column):
Release date for these Japan local issue stamps is October 25, 2012.
Price: US$ 18.10
Number 18 in the Japanese anime stamps 'Hero and Heroine' Series features the widely beloved character of Rascal the Raccoon.
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Originally created by Nippon Animation, the Japanese title for this anime series is 'Araiguma Rascal.' It is based on the 1963 autobiographical novel 'Rascal, a memoir of a better era' by Sterling North about his childhood in Wisconsin. The Rascal Japan stamps new issues sheet shows the following images:
The success of the animated series in Japan was responsible for the accidental introduction of the raccoon species into the country. Up to 1,500 raccoons were imported as pets each year. Release date for these Japan local issue stamps is October 23, 2012. |
Price: US$ 16.00
Each autumn, the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund hold annual meetings to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction, economic development and finance. The annual meetings are traditionally held in Washington DC or in a member country. About 10,000 people attend the meetings, including representatives of media, the banking sector, and private business.
To commemorate this annual event, the Japanese postal service is to issue a special stamp sheet.
![]() Issue date for these commemorative Japanese stamps is October 12, 2012. |
The Japanese postage stamps on the left show the following images. Left column:
Right Column:
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Price: US$ 17.90
International Letter Writing Week was established at the 14th Universal Postal Union Congress held in Ottawa in 1957. The aim was to contribute to world peace by encouraging cultural exchanges among the people of the world through letter writing.
For 2012, the Japan Post will issue the following Japanese commemorative stamps. Each of the below Japan stamps will come in a ten-stamps sheet.
The first Japanese stamp on the left shows artwork by Japanese artist Kiyokata Kaburagi. The painting is entitled 'Hatsu Gochi.' Kaburagi, 1878-1972, was the pseudonym of Kaburagi Kenichi, a Nihonga painting artist during the Taisho and Showa periods. He is considered to be the leading master of the bijinga genre. Starting out as an illustrator, he became a member of the Imperial Fine Art Academy and the Art Committeef the Imperial Household. In 1944, he received the title of official court painter.
The middle of the three Japan stamps new issues is a work by Uemura Shoen, 1875-1949, entitled 'Shun-pou.' Uemura Shoen was the pseudonym for Uemura Tsune, a woman artist during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods. Known for her bijinga paintings of beautiful women, she also produced numerous works on historical themes and other traditional subjects.
A painting by Ito Shinsui is shown on the last new issue Japan stamp. It is entitled 'Fubuki.' Ito Shinsui was the pseudonym of Ito Hajime, 1898-1972. He was a famous Nihonga painter and Ukiyo-e woodblock print artists during the Taisho and Showa periods. He is also considered to be one of the great names of the shin-hanga art movement, revitalizing the traditional art with the advent of photography.
These Japan stamps new issues will be released on October 9, 2012.
Price for 90 Yen Sheet: US$ 19.10 |
Price for 110 Yen Sheet: US$ 22.00 |
Price for 130 Yen Sheet: US$ 23.60 |
On the occasion of 150 years of horse racing in Japan, the Japan Post Service will issue a special 'History of Horse Racing' Japan local issue stamps sheet.
Horse racing has become a major sport in Japan. It is organized by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and the National Association of Racing (NRA).
The JRA is responsible for the events held in the major metropolitan areas, whereas, the NRA is responsible for local horse racing events throughout the country.
Major race events are: Japan Cup, Arima Kinen, Tokyo Yushun, Satsuki Sho, Kikuka Sho, Tenno Sho, and Takarazuka Kinen.
The commemorative Japanese stamps below show famous horses in the 150th history of racing in Japan.
Another great example of an interesting Japan stamps new issues sheet.
These Japan stamps new issued will be issued on October 2, 2012.
Price: US$ 19.00
2012 celebrates 40 years of normalized Japan-China diplomatic relations. On this occasion, the Japan Post Service will issue a special Japanese stamps anniversary sheet commemorating this event.
The leaders of Japan and China agreed to designate 2012 as the 'Friendship Year for Japan-China.' The goal is to enhance exchanges and to promote mutual understanding between the two nations on a public and private level.
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A series of events will be held throughout this year to mark the 40th anniversary. The opening ceremony will be held in Beijing in February. The normalization of diplomatic relations took place in 1972. Since then, anniversary marking events have been held by both countries. The relationship between China and Japan has been strained at times by Japan's refusal to acknowledge its wartime past. In December 1971, the Japanese and Chinese trade liaison offices began to discuss restoring diplomatic relations. In 1972, under Prime Minister Tanaka and on the background of Nixon's visit to China, a joint-statement was signed establishing diplomatic relations. Japan agreed to most of China's demands such as the political status of Tawian. Since then bilaterla economic relations have grown rapidly. The Japan stamps new issues to the left pictures Sakura or Cherry Blossom Flowers and Botan or Japanese Tree Peony. Issue date for these mint-condition Japan local issue stamps is September 4, 2012 |
Price: US$ 19.00
In 2012, the Japan post service will for the first time publish an 'ukiyo-e' stamp series. The initial new issue volume 1 stamp sheet will be released in August.
For those Japanese stamp collectors that are unfamiliar with the term ukiyo-e, the latter describes a Japanese woodblock print and painting genre from the time between the 17th and 20th centuries.
Ukiyo-e (浮世絵) literally means 'pictures of the floating world,' a term used to refer to the fleeting world of beauty and entertainment as associated with Japanese kabuki, geisha, and courtesans.
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The ukiyo-e art form became popular during the Edo-period in the second half of the 17th century. Ukiyo-e wood prints were affordable to everyone because they could be mass-produced. They were meant for the regular townsmen who were not wealthy enough to afford an original painting. The original subject of ukiyo-e was city-life, in particular scenes from the entertainment districts, such as those depicting courtesans, sumo wrestlers, and actors. Later on landscapes became popular. The individual stamps on this stamp sheet show images from the Edo-period (roughly 17th-19th century). They focus on prints of Japan's notable sites and beautiful women of Edo (former name for Tokyo) by famous artist Utagawa Hiroshige. This Japan stamps new issues sheet was released on August 1, 2012. It applies a 6 color offset printing method. |
Price: US$ 19.00
One of the characteristics of Japanese culture is often said to be the close and harmonious relationship with nature. The Japanese appreciation of nature has been reflected in the Japan Post 'Harmony with Nature Series.'
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The second volume of the nature commemorative Japanese stamps cover wildlife and flowers that are prevalent throughout Japan. The Japanese stamp sheet on the left depict the following wildlife and flowers:
These Japan stamps new issues are issued on August 23, 2012. Price: US$ 15.00 |
These new issue commemorative Japanese stamps celebrate the 67th National Athletic Meet in Gifu Prefecture.
The National Sports Festival is the premier prefecture versus prefecture sports event in Japan. The abbreviated name is Kokutai which literally translates into 'National Polity' or 'Fundamental Character of the Nation.'
Winners in each discipline are awarded the Emperor or Empress Cup.
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The first Kokutai was held in 1946 with the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe being co-hosts. Since then, the national sports festival has been held on an annual basis without interruption. The last three Kokutai meets 64/65/66 were hosted by Niigata, Chiba, and Yamaguchi prefectures. Yamaguchi Prefecture is hosting the event for the second time after 1965. The commemorative Japanese stamps on the left depict five athletic competitions:
The left and right hand side borders of these Japan local issue stamps show 'Minamo,' the games mascot character.
These Japan stamps new issues will be issued on September 28, 2012. |
Price: US$ 13.10
Special Order Price: GBP 34.5
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