Tokyo International News Agency

Croix du Nord (a 4-year-old colt), the champion of this year's Osaka Hai and Tenno Sho (Spring), has officially been confirmed for the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen (G1). Jockey Yuichi Kitamura will maintain his partnership with the horse as they aim for an unprecedented feat: becoming the first horse in history to claim the "Spring Triple Crown" for older horses and securing a massive 300 million yen bonus. Fans on social media reacted quickly to the sudden announcement of his participation. Comments ranged from high-stakes excitement to admiration for the bold move: "I truly believe they can grab the Spring Triple Crown and that 300 million yen bonus," and "Aiming for the Spring Triple Crown in this Reiwa era is such a 'masurao' (valiant) move." Beyond the Father's Legacy and Into Uncharted Territory Since his debut, Croix du Nord has never had another rider in the saddle, building a perfect rapport with Yuichi Kitamura. Together, they have a...

Reports that US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Taiwan against making a formal declaration of independence following pressure from President Xi Jinping during his visit to China have caused a significant stir. Trump stated, "I want them (Taiwan) to be cool. I want China to be cool," adding, "We don't want a war. I think China is okay with that if the status quo is maintained." Following this report, intense debates have erupted on social media regarding the future of Japan-US-Taiwan relations and the geopolitical situation in East Asia. On X (formerly Twitter), opinions are split between those who view Trump’s stance as a "betrayal" leaning toward China and those who analyze it as a reaffirmation of the long-standing US diplomatic policy of maintaining the status quo. Some users have also pointed out the potential impact of these remarks on Japan's defense policy. In particular, regarding the Japanese government's push to strengthen ...

On May 16, the phrase "Dance Dance Dance" became a major trend on social media, sparked by a performance from Miki Hoshii during her solo live event, "#MIKI_USA_LIVE." Miki is a core character in the popular idol production game series The Idolmaster . During the concert, when Miki performed a solo rendition of the song "Dance Dance Dance"—originally from the game The Idolmaster Starlit Season —the internet erupted with surprise and excitement. Social media was flooded with comments such as, "Miki's 'Dance Dance Dance' is so cute I'm in tears," and "I'll never forget the rush of adrenaline the moment the intro started." The performance served as a powerful reminder to fans of her overwhelming charisma and talent as an idol. Because the song is typically performed by a group unit, the solo version was a rare treat. This led to a surge of requests for an official release, with fans pleading, "Please put this on a ...

Hokkaido is currently swept up in a wave of entertainment fever. The phrase "Hokkaido Performance" has been trending on social media, with fans flooding platforms with celebratory posts and high expectations for upcoming live shows. Drawing significant attention is "to HEROes 〜TOBE 3rd Super Live〜," which kicked off its first day today, May 16. As artists from the TOBE agency—including Number_i, IMP., Hiromitsu Kitayama, and Ken Miyake—gather for this grand stage, fans on-site are sharing photos of the clear, blue skies. Those attending have shared messages like, "I'm going to give them all my love," and "I hope the tour concludes safely," while fans unable to make it are sending their support via SNS, declaring, "My soul is in Hokkaido." New information about future performances is also stirring excitement. Yui Sakurai of the idol group FRUITS ZIPPER delighted fans by announcing that a Hokkaido show has been added alongside dates i...

The popular smartphone game Gakuen Idolmaster (affectionately known as Gakumasu ) has reached its second anniversary since launch, with the term "Selection Test" creating a massive wave of excitement among fans, referred to as "Producers." On May 16, the simultaneous rollout of the 2nd Live event "The 2nd Period" and the new in-game scenario "H.I.F. (High-Intensity Festival) Arc" sparked a flurry of passionate social media posts covering both real-world and digital fronts. On the real-world events side, fans expressed their anticipation for the upcoming live concert with comments like, "I have to prepare for the Selection Test" and "I'll be there to see it through in person." A key visual for the 2nd Live, illustrated by Aki Minamino, was also released to commemorate this significant milestone. Around the venue area, the community's vibrancy was on full display as fans planned business card exchanges and meetups. Mean...

The iconic "Life-Sized Unicorn Gundam Statue," which has long been a beloved landmark of Odaiba, Tokyo, will officially end its exhibition at the end of August 2026. Since its debut in 2017, the statue has served as a symbol of the area for approximately nine years, drawing fans from across the globe, but it is now set to complete its mission. According to official announcements, a series of special events and decorations are planned for the grand finale. The statue will be updated with new decal designs, and various commemorative activities will be held to express gratitude to the fans. Among the community, sentiments of sadness are spreading rapidly, alongside a collective resolve to "witness its majesty one last time before it's gone." Social media has been flooded with posts from people mourning the end of the display. Many are sharing personal memories, with comments such as "It was the icon of Odaiba, I'll be so lonely without it" and "I...

As the legendary "Mobile Suit Gundam" series approaches its half-century mark since its 1979 debut, the "Gundam 50th Anniversary Project -Road to 50-" has officially launched. On May 15, the project kicked off with the release of a prologue film titled "The Boy and Gundam," sparking a massive reaction on social media from veteran fans and the current generation alike. Directed by Tsukuro Hayakawa and featuring the song "Kinjito" (Monument) by the musical unit PEOPLE 1, the video is an emotional tribute that evokes the memories of those who have lived alongside Gundam. The visuals include scenes reminiscent of the "Moving Gundam" formerly in Yokohama and a sequence showcasing successive protagonist machines. Fans have showered the film with praise, with comments like "The level of detail is insane" and "It’s so emotional it made me cry." Core fans were particularly thrilled by the appearance of the Ex-S Gundam from th...