Tokyo International News Agency

The 9 finalists for the "R-1 Grand Prix 2026," a comedy festival encompassing manzai, skits, and solo acts, have been decided, and excitement is already building ahead of the final showdown on Saturday, March 21st, starting at 6:30 PM. In particular, expectations for veteran solo comedian Lucifer Yoshioka, who is making his 8th appearance in the finals, are higher than ever before. Lucifer Yoshioka has captivated many fans with his unique worldview and edgy material. His consecutive appearance in the finals this time has sparked a flurry of comments on social media like "Lucifer Yoshioka is amazing! Hurry up and win R-1!" and "So excited for Lucifer Yoshioka-san!" There's a strong trust in his skill and presence, with many noting his "sense of security" and "certain gravitas." On making his 8th final appearance, he even commented, "Now I understand how Frieren feels," likening his long challenge to the popular anime charac...

Ikuma Horishima secured a silver medal in the men's dual moguls freestyle skiing event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This remarkable achievement marks his second medal at the games, having already earned a bronze, making it an early success story. It is also the first time a Japanese athlete has won a medal in the new event of dual moguls, an historic feat that has electrified the entire nation. Men's dual moguls is an exciting new discipline where two skiers descend simultaneously, competing on time and the perfection of their aerials. In the final, Horishima clashed with the reigning champion, Mikaël Kingsbury of Canada. In a thrilling and suspenseful race, Horishima executed an aggressive run but narrowly missed out on gold, settling for silver. Fellow Japanese representative Takuya Shimakawa also secured a commendable 4th place, showcasing the depth of talent within the Japanese team. Flashing a V-sign and a smile on the podium, Horishima commented, "It wa...

The Nippon Foundation's proposal to the Minister of Justice for the establishment of "prisons without walls" has generated significant controversy on social media. This proposal, aimed at facilitating the smooth reintegration of inmates into society, has been met with a barrage of critical opinions on X (formerly Twitter), such as "it will lead to a decline in public safety" and "it negates the purpose of prisons." According to the proposal submitted by the Nippon Foundation to the Minister of Justice, "prisons without walls" would involve inmates living in facilities without fences, commuting to private workplaces, and operating cafes within the facilities to serve local residents. The foundation's aim is to bridge the gap between inmates and society, thereby preventing recidivism. However, this proposal has been largely met with strong concerns for public safety on social media, with comments like "They'll definitely escape...

Jockey Yusuke Fujioka, on the cusp of transitioning to a trainer, brought immense joy and a sense of bittersweet farewell to horse racing fans by masterfully guiding the sixth-favorite, June Take, to a brilliant victory in the 60th Kyoto Kinen (GII) held at Kyoto Racecourse on February 15. In the race, while the top favorite, Eris King (ridden by Yuga Kawada), launched a fierce late surge from the rear, June Take broke away from second position and triumphed by a nose, just fending off Eris King's sharp finishing kick. The winning time was 2 minutes 12.7 seconds (Good track). This victory marked June Take's triumphant return to racing after a 1-year-9-month absence due to a suspensory ligament injury, and it was a remarkable achievement, becoming the Kizuna progeny's second graded stakes win. After the race, Jockey Fujioka commented, expressing his delight: "For the first time during the post parade, I thought 'this feels good'... I'm happy the horse ran ex...

The concept of 'global citizen' advocated by politician Junya Ogawa has caused a significant stir on social media. In particular, his statements regarding support for Korean schools (Chosengakko) and humanitarian assistance for foreigners have sparked widespread debate among many users. Mr. Ogawa stated, 'Children are innocent. It is desirable for them to receive minimum humanitarian aid and welfare support as global citizens,' emphasizing the need for humanitarian assistance that transcends borders and nationalities. This philosophy is seen as emblematic of his own views on nationhood and personal beliefs. However, on X (formerly Twitter), critical opinions overwhelmingly dominate regarding this term 'global citizen.' Many users express strong opposition to Japanese taxpayers' money being used to support foreigners deemed 'pitiable,' with comments like 'Do it yourself' and 'Japan will be bled dry.' There are also criticisms suggestin...

Authorities are urging extreme caution after kerosene sold at the 'Cygnus Sekiyu Seino' gas station in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, between January 29 and February 13, may have been contaminated with gasoline. This issue is believed to be connected to a house fire that occurred in Akasaka-cho, Ogaki City, on February 9, which completely destroyed a residence. Gasoline was confirmed to be present in the kerosene sampled from the fan heater at the origin of the blaze. Although kerosene and gasoline appear similar, their volatility and flash points differ significantly. Using contaminated kerosene in heating appliances can lead to extremely dangerous situations, including abnormal combustion and explosive fires. Indeed, the recent house fire is attributed to gasoline-contaminated kerosene causing the fan heater to erupt in flames. The Ogaki City Fire Department and other relevant organizations are strongly warning against using any kerosene purchased from 'Cygnus Sekiyu Seino...

In recent years, the phrase "Ranranruu," once a massive sensation, has resurfaced with significant attention on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Affectionately known as "Reiwa's Ranranruu," this phenomenon has brought both nostalgia and surprise to many users, dominating trending topics. Many posts originated from videos and images featuring McDonald's official character, Ronald McDonald, performing "Ranranruu." Comments like "I can't believe I'm seeing the original Ranranruu in Reiwa!" and "Did the person inside Ronald even know that Ranranruu was popular back then? lol" reveal users' delight and excitement that the official side has acknowledged and reused the phrase. There are also reactions calling McDonald's recognition of this "meme-ification" "super hot." However, this phrase carries a complex history. Numerous comments on X include remarks like "Ranranruu was a forb...