Tokyo International News Agency

An announcement that the entire discography of Hello! Project (H!P) will be simultaneously released on major subscription streaming services starting February 13th has been met with immense joy from fans and the music industry. The long-awaited "subscription unblocking" has finally come to fruition, leading to an explosion of excitement and delight on social media. According to a report by Ongaku Natalie, a total of 1378 songs from artists including Morning Musume., ANGERME, Juice=Juice, Tsubaki Factory, BEYOOOOONDS, OCHA NORMA, Rosy Chronicle, and Hello! Project Kenshuusei will become available all at once this Friday. In response to this news, social media has been flooded with ecstatic comments like "Seriously, thank you," "I cried," "This is too hot," and "Hope for living." There were also expressions of relief that long-held anxieties were resolved, with one user remarking, "It's been genuinely so long since the hints star...

The popular vocal unit "Niku Chomo" has announced a two-day solo live concert on July 4th and 5th at K-Arena Yokohama, generating a significant buzz on social media. Titled "Niku Chomo Fes," the upcoming live event is particularly building anticipation for DAY2, which is themed "Shuraba" (Carnage/Scene of Conflict). Fans have expressed immense excitement with comments like, "I want to go to Niku Chomo's live!" and "I *really* want to go to Niku Chomo's solo concert?!" indicating that a fierce battle for tickets is already underway. Attention is also focused on the luxurious lineup of guest artists who will grace the stage. According to an X (formerly Twitter) post, popular utaite Araki has announced his appearance on DAY2 "Shuraba," expressing his fervent enthusiasm: "As someone who considers 'Shura no Mon' (Gate of Carnage) my bible, I will be performing at Niku Chomo Fes DAY2 'Shuraba'!!!!!!!!!!...

The term "Cooperative Company" (協力会社) recently trended on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), highlighting its significance and diverse facets. From large-scale events in the entertainment industry to daily infrastructure maintenance, technological innovation in manufacturing, and even issues critical to a company's survival, "Cooperative Companies" are drawing attention as an indispensable presence in modern business. Posts celebrating the success of large-scale events and projects frequently express deep gratitude towards cooperative companies. For instance, from the live performances of popular group "Sutopuri" and the production sites of animated films, comments such as, "The incredible concert was thanks to the staff and cooperative companies who supported us behind the scenes," and "To the 117 members of the filming, special effects, and production teams, and all our cooperative companies, thank you very much," dem...

Sanae Takaichi's absence from a major pre-election debate program for the House of Representatives election has ignited a significant debate on social media. While criticisms of her having "fled" from the debate have poured in, Prime Minister Takaichi explained that she prioritized her medical condition and campaign speeches. Although the ruling party achieved a landslide victory in the election, this issue has raised questions about politicians' accountability and the nature of their dialogue with the public. The controversy began when Prime Minister Takaichi was absent from an NHK debate program scheduled just before the House of Representatives election. On social media, numerous voices severely criticized her stance, with comments such as, "She tells the public 'you must fight until the end,' yet she flees from a debate program herself," and "She escaped 'Sunday Debate.'" Some posts even connected her absence to other alleged sc...

The trending topic “Kanagawa Prefectural Police” is drawing significant attention on the SNS platform X (formerly Twitter). The catalyst for this trend was an awareness campaign and messages allegedly disseminated by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, which suggested the possibility of “defamation” for posting images or videos of bullying and assault on social media. This message has provoked a strong backlash from numerous users, who accuse the police of “defending perpetrators” and “misunderstanding the core issue,” creating considerable controversy. According to images posted and content cited, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police appears to have issued messages stating that “filming scenes of bullying or assault and posting them on SNS may constitute defamation.” In response, many users have expressed anger, stating that “violence itself is a crime, and restricting its exposure is wrong” and “before talking about defamation, assault perpetrators should be arrested.” There are also numerou...

Nogizaka46's 5th generation member, Sakura Kawasaki, has announced the release of her first photobook on April 14, 2026, leading to a surge of enthusiastic reactions from fans across social media platforms. This highly anticipated volume was photographed in two French cities: Nice and Paris. According to official information, the photobook "captures her at 22, captivating with her sophisticated and innocent sides, showcasing a wide range." In Nice, a coastal city in Southern France, Kawasaki took on swimsuit shoots under the abundant sunshine. Furthermore, the book includes carefully selected outfits, her private clothes, and even her bare-faced look, allowing fans to fully enjoy the diverse charms of Sakura Kawasaki. Immediately after the news of the photobook's release broke, fans posted a flurry of joyful comments such as "It's here! Sakutan, congratulations on your photobook 🎉㊗️㊗️", "I'm definitely buying Kawasaki Sakura's photobook 😭...

The Chinese government has once again demanded the retraction of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary statement regarding a potential Taiwan contingency. This demand, issued following Japan's general election, has sparked strong backlash on Japanese social media, with many users condemning it as "interference in internal affairs." According to reports, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs not only called for the retraction of PM Takaichi's response but also emphasized that Japan "should demonstrate with concrete actions its sincerity in safeguarding the political foundation of China-Japan relations." The spokesperson further stated that "China's policy towards Japan maintains stability and continuity and will not change because of a single Japanese election." In response, Japanese internet users largely criticized China's demand as "incorrigible" and "foolish," with many advoca...