Tokyo International News Agency

A new development has emerged in the "Sanae Token" controversy following a report by *Weekly Bunshun*. The individual identified as responsible for the token made an "exclusive confession," claiming that all relevant information had been relayed to Ms. Takaichi's office. This confession directly contradicts Prime Minister Takaichi's previous statements, in which she insisted she "had no knowledge whatsoever" of the matter. *Weekly Bunshun* further reported the existence of "audio evidence" supporting this claim, intensifying the suspicions surrounding the issue. On social media, various reactions to the report have been observed. Many users are demanding a direct explanation from Prime Minister Takaichi, with comments such as, "At this point, Prime Minister Takaichi has a responsibility to hold a press conference and explain clearly in her own voice." Other opinions expressed include, "If this is true, it's a serious pr...

In recent years, the trend of "new visual reveals" has surged across a wide range of fields, with April 1st seeing a particularly large number of announcements. From popular idol groups to VTubers and even famous food brands, various sectors are captivating fans with their fresh new looks. In the music industry, male group ICEx unveiled their "fresh" new visuals to coincide with the start of pre-orders for their 2nd album, 'FRESH!!' Solo artist REIKO also revealed new "moon-inspired" visuals along with the cover art for her EP 'VOICE,' earning rave reviews from fans who exclaimed, "White REIKO is wonderful too!" Yuta Jinguji of Number_i showcased a transparent and "closer to his true self" new visual as the image character for 'GIVENCHY BEAUTY.' Kazuya Kamenashi also released new visuals to mark the digital release of "Diamond," the theme song for his starring drama 'Stove League,' drawing c...

Yuta Jinguji of Number_i has emerged as the new face of Givenchy Beauty, appearing in the campaign for their latest "Prism Libre Dual-Tone Highlighter," sparking significant buzz across social media. New visuals showcasing his shimmering transparency and a radiant, light-infused glow have been released, drawing a flurry of ecstatic praise from fans who call it "breathtaking beauty" and "the epitome of translucence." Givenchy Beauty's "Prism Libre Dual-Tone Highlighter" is designed with two colors that softly blend, creating an aurora-like luminescence. Jinguji's new visuals, adorned with this highlighter, emphasize a healthy, natural radiance, described as "closer to his true self than ever before." His captivating elegance stands out remarkably, even when styled casually in denim. On social media platforms, countless posts have emerged, including comments such as, "Jinguji-san's skin transparency and glow are incredibl...

The keyword "tax excluded" is trending on social media, sparking widespread interest in price displays across various daily purchasing scenarios. Consumers are expressing surprise at product pricing and calling for smarter consumption habits. In hobby sectors like character goods and games, new products are being continuously announced with "tax excluded" prices. Re-Ment Co., Ltd. introduced "Cinnamoroll's Fluffy Cafe Time" for 1,350 yen (tax excluded) and "Hatsune Miku Series" figures for 1,600 yen (tax excluded), generating buzz among fans. At specialty game stores, special offers like the Nintendo Switch for 9,980 yen (tax excluded) and PlayStation 5 for 69,800 yen (tax excluded) are displayed with "tax excluded" prices, stimulating buying interest. "Tax excluded" displays are also common for daily necessities and food items. At OK Supermarket, items are advertised with approximately 100 yen off (tax excluded), while Oz...

On March 31, 2026, a historic page was etched into the annals of professional baseball. Haruki Hosono, pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, achieved a no-hitter against the Chiba Lotte Marines in the home opener at Es Con Field Hokkaido. This remarkable feat, accomplished in only his ninth professional game and the first ever at the stadium, sent fans watching the game into a frenzy. For a team that had started the season with three consecutive losses, Hosono delivered the first victory in the most spectacular fashion possible: a no-hitter. On this day, he completely shut down the Lotte lineup with an overwhelming performance of 11 strikeouts and 108 pitches. His battery with catcher Yuya Tamiya also shone brightly, showcasing an ironclad defense. Furthermore, the offense rallied behind Hosono's masterful pitching with nine runs, including double home runs from Kotaro Kiyomiya and Reyes, providing ample support. On social media, numerous voices of joy and astonishment were...

The music video (MV) for "Ohime-sama no Tsukurikata" (How to Make a Princess), a B-side track from popular idol group =LOVE's (Equal Love) 20th single, was released on March 31st, drawing an enthusiastic response from fans. Immediately after its release, related keywords trended on social media platform X, with many praising its adorable world and strong message. Kiara Saito takes the center position for this song. Fans quickly flooded social media with praise, saying things like "Kiara-chan's center is the best!" and "She's too cute, it's insane." The MV features a whimsical and charming visual aesthetic, themed "Antique x Balletcore." Beyond the members' general cuteness, particular attention has been drawn to Maika Sasaki's "horn" hairstyle and the beautiful visuals of Hana Oba and Sana Morohashi. The song's lyrics contain a deep message beyond mere cuteness. Lines such as "The tears you shed turn int...

Joichiro Fujiwara of the popular idol group Naniwa Danshi has unveiled original merchandise produced for the Famikura Store, sparking an outpouring of praise on social media, with fans calling his innovative ideas and captivating lineup "genius," "the best," and "god-tier." Among the new products, conceptualized by "Fujiwara P" (Producer Fujiwara), the "Childhood and Alpha Costume Acrysta" has garnered particularly enthusiastic support from fans. This acrylic stand set features each member's adorable childhood appearance alongside their current look in the "Alpha" costume. Fans flooded social media with exclamations like, "An acrysta with their childhood selves is pure genius! The best! It's tensaikou!!!" and "The childhood acrysta is too genius." Many fans expressed strong desire to purchase "all of them" due to the unique concept, a first for their merchandise. Also making its debut is a...