Christmas in Japan was pitched by retailers as a fun way to spend your year-end bonus.

Similarly, Valentine's Day was pitched by chocolate companies as a time to buy chocolates for your sweetheart. There are actually two such days: on Valentine's Day women give chocolates to their sweethearts, while on White Day (March 14), said sweethearts return the favor.

Japanese people are starting to do things for Halloween. I am not sure what the marketing story is behind that.