Tokyo International News Agency

≒JOY (Nearly Equal Joy), the idol group produced by Rino Sashihara, has released the music video for "Watashi Chuiho" ("Warning: Me"), a coupling track from their 5th single, on their official YouTube channel and other platforms. Featuring members Ren Esumi and Momoka as dual centers, the song sparked immediate buzz across social media upon its release. Centered around the theme of "please accept my heavy love," the song is characterized by its unforgettable, catchy melody and vibrant, lively atmosphere. On social media, Esumi appealed to fans directly, asking, "Will you accept my heavy, heavy love??" In response, fans flooded online platforms with praise, calling it an "absolute genius track" and declaring, "It's so good I can't calm down." The music video's visual aesthetics and costumes have also drawn significant attention. Alongside classic school uniform attire, members showcase a variety of hairstyles, inclu...

Additional cast members and the third trailer for the upcoming Netflix animated movie THE RIBBON HERO (scheduled for exclusive worldwide release on August 8, 2026) have been revealed. Based on Osamu Tezuka's classic masterpiece Princess Knight ( Ribbon no Kishi ), the film will feature popular VTuber Tsukino Mito from the agency Nijisanji as the major character Hecate. In addition, VTubers Runrun and Debidebi Debiru have been cast as the twin characters Chik and Tack. This marks the first time Virtual YouTubers will serve as voice actors in a feature-length anime film, putting them alongside veteran voice actors such as Yoshimasa Hosoya and Koki Uchiyama. Following the announcement, fans flooded social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with excitement and praise for Mito's performance in the trailer. Comments included "Voice actor Tsukino Mito has finally become reality!", "Her acting is great and her voice quality is amazing," and "She is the...

Following a major disaster, posts regarding crime prevention and suspicious individuals in affected areas have rapidly increased on social media platforms. In particular, claims such as "foreign theft rings are gathering in disaster zones" and "suspicious foreigners have been spotted" were widely shared, causing related keywords to trend on X (formerly Twitter). Among the posts, many users expressed concerns over worsening public safety, calling for increased police patrols, checkpoints, and urging local residents to stay vigilant. However, media reports have revealed that these posts also contain fake images generated by AI and ungrounded rumors (disinformation). According to experts, during disasters, uncertain information is often spread out of anxiety or well-meaning intentions. To prevent the spread of false information and rumors, experts point out that "for unverified information, it is important to refrain not only from sharing, but also from reacting t...

Actress Meisa Kuroki and Jinto Yoshida, leader of the five-member vocal and dance group M!LK, recently made their debut guest appearances on "Gourmet Chicken Race: Gochi ni Naimasu!"—the flagship segment of Nippon TV's popular variety show Guru Guru Ninety-Nine —sparking a massive buzz across social media. Making his first appearance on the show, Yoshida found himself hit by a series of unexpected troubles and mishaps. Despite revealing an unexpectedly unlucky side, his natural airheadedness and endearing reactions brought huge energy to the broadcast. Viewers flooded social media with enthusiastic praise, commenting, "He's so cute I couldn't take my eyes off him," "His helpless luck makes you want to root for him," and "This episode was absolute comedy gold." Another major highlight was the banter between Yoshida and fellow M!LK member Hayato Sano, who is a regular cast member on the show. Fans affectionately refer to the duo as ...

Houshou Marine, a popular VTuber from the female VTuber group Hololive, released an original music video (MV) for her new song 'BooooM!!!' on YouTube on July 30. Premiered alongside her annual birthday livestream, the release triggered a wave of high praise from fans and creators worldwide across social media. Written by q*Left with music composition and arrangement by Giga, 'BooooM!!!' is an upbeat, highly addictive track. The MV features a star-studded creative team, including director and storyboard artist Mizumi, character designer and animation director Mofujiro~, and Haru Mamiya (bees inc.) handling the logo, jacket design, and 2D graphics. Combining a cool, stylish aesthetic with Marine's signature blend of cute and powerful charm, the video drew immediate acclaim, with viewers calling it 'one of the best MVs ever made' and 'incredibly stylish and cool.' Fans quickly took to social media to express their excitement over the exhilarating sound ...

Following a recent earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, the local governor's request asking potential volunteers to temporarily refrain from entering the disaster-stricken area has sparked widespread discussion on social media. In the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, local authorities must prioritize reducing the risk of secondary hazards and keeping roads clear to ensure emergency vehicles and essential relief supplies can move without disruption. Online, many users expressed understanding and support for the prefectural government's decision. Commentators noted, "This doesn't mean help isn't needed; it's a call to secure time for safety checks and to establish a proper reception framework." Others urged eager helpers not to rush to the scene on personal judgment alone, suggesting that financial donations are the most effective form of initial support. On the other hand, the announcement caused confusion among some aid workers already on the groun...

The South Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its formal country name to the "Republic of Naoero," adopting a name rooted in its native language. The update replaces the former name—which was originally used for foreign convenience due to its easier pronunciation—with its traditional local designation. According to reports, the country's parliament initially planned to hold a referendum on the name change. However, lawmakers ultimately decided to bypass the vote, reasoning that the shift simply restores a traditional name already deeply familiar to its citizens. The move is viewed as a symbolic effort to break away from the nation's colonial past and reaffirm its cultural identity and pride. The capital of the country remains Yaren. The context News of the name change generated an unexpected wave of viral attention on Japanese social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where "Republic of Naoero" quickly climbed the trend charts. In Japanes...