This news item revolves around Japan's tradition of enjoying a pure white Christmas cake during the festive season. Unlike the rich, fruited cakes often seen in the West, Japanese Christmas cakes are typically light, sponge-based and frosted with fluffy white icing to represent the snowy landscape of Christmas time. The popularity of this cake has surged significantly, making it an indispensable part of the Japanese Christmas tradition.

In Japan, the white Christmas cake is deeply embedded in the celebration of Christmas and symbolizes purity and brightness of the season. It's a symbol of western influence on Japanese culture, representing post-WWII recovery and prosperity. Even though only a small portion of Japanese society is Christian, the nation enjoys the spirit and commercial aspect of the holiday, and the cake serves as a centerpiece of the festivities.

In contrast, traditional Christmas cakes in the U.S or EU are typically rich plum cakes or fruit cakes, often prepared weeks in advance and soaked in spirits. The simplicity of the Japanese Christmas cake speaks volumes about the cultural differences in the celebration of the same festival.