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Japan’s only certified Santa Claus spreads Christmas joy ahead of holidays

Paradise Yamamoto, Asia’s first officially recognised Santa Claus, appeared at a public Christmas event in Kanagawa prefecture for the first time since the pandemic.

Published: 3:35pm, 16 Dec 2025

Japan’s only officially certified Santa Claus brought festive cheer to children at a Christmas event in Kanagawa prefecture on December 13, 2025. Paradise Yamamoto is Asia’s only officially recognised Santa. He received his certification from the Greenland International Santa Claus Association in 1998. Yamamoto’s appearance marked the return of the event, which had been suspended since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.

Japan’s only certified Santa Claus spreads Christmas joy ahead of holidays

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Paradise Yamamoto, Asia’s first officially recognised Santa Claus, appeared at a public Christmas event in Kanagawa prefecture for the first time since the pandemic.

Paradise Yamamoto, Asia’s first officially recognised Santa Claus, appeared at a public Christmas event in Kanagawa prefecture for the first time since the pandemic.