Tokyo International News Agency

Weekly Bunshun has reported, citing a "source close to the Prime Minister's Office," that the last-minute cancellation of Ms. Sanae Takaichi's appearance on NHK's "Sunday Debate" had been planned two days prior to the broadcast, causing a significant stir on social media. According to Weekly Bunshun's report, Ms. Takaichi's camp had, as early as Friday, January 30th, two days before the broadcast, approached Takayuki Kobayashi, the Policy Research Council Chairman, to fill in for her. However, Mr. Kobayashi reportedly had a campaign schedule in Kyoto starting at 10:30 AM on that Sunday, making it impossible to adjust. Subsequently, Norihisa Tamura, the Acting Policy Research Council Chairman, was reportedly chosen as the replacement. In response to this testimony from a "source close to the Prime Minister's Office," users on X (formerly Twitter) voiced a barrage of criticisms, including remarks like "mocking the public," ...

On October 3rd, the announcement of "Dessin #4," a new song by the popular band Porno Graffitti, became a major topic on SNS X (formerly Twitter), dominating the trending topics. This song, the first new entry in the "Dessin" series in a remarkable 23 years, has been met with an outpouring of joy and surprise from fans. Fans posted enthusiastic comments such as "Dessin #4, which I've wished for forever, is finally hereeeeee!", "I'm too excited!", and "I'm speechless." Many also expressed surprise at the immense reaction, saying things like "Dessin #4 is trending at #1!?" Some even voiced their anticipation for the creative team, exclaiming, "Whoaahhhhhh Dessin #4!? And it's the combination I love most: lyrics by Haruichi-san, music by Akihito-san!!!" Furthermore, the news that Yo Tsuji would handle the arrangement thrilled some fans, who commented, "What an unbeatable lineup..." The "De...

In recent years, the term "general education" has garnered significant attention, not only as an academic concept but also in the realms of daily life and entertainment. On social media (SNS), diverse discussions surrounding its etymology, events by popular artists, and even the context of qualification exams have made it a trending topic. Delving deeper into the concept of "general education," its origins lie in the "liberal arts" (liberales artes). Meaning "studies suitable for a free individual (not a slave)" in Latin, this term referred to seven subjects in the Middle Ages: grammar, logic, rhetoric, geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music. Even today, the recognition remains that this broad range of knowledge and critical thinking skills is crucial for building the foundation of a human being. Notably, a major topic on X (formerly Twitter) was "Number_i's Search for Unidentified Territories! General Education Quiz! in Saitama FINA...

Talent Kazunari Ninomiya has surprised fans by reporting on his SNS that he recalled as many as 14 songs in a single day. This announcement coincided with "Nino-san's Day 2026," which saw the release of new merchandise from his personal agency, "Office Ni no HonteN," making it a day filled with joy and excitement for his fans. Ninomiya posted, "It's amazing... I remembered about 14 songs today alone." This statement has been widely interpreted by many fans as increasing anticipation for his future music activities and live performances. With Ninomiya celebrating his 30th year in entertainment, voices can be heard saying, "Arashi is ingrained from the tip of his head to the tips of his toes," garnering praise for his professional dedication. The newly announced merchandise from "Office Ni no HonteN" also received a significant response for its variety and thoughtfulness towards fans. Many everyday items were featured in the lineu...

Game creator Masahiro Sakurai announced on February 3rd via his X (formerly Twitter) account that he had brought his beloved cat, Fukurashi, home from the hospital. Fukurashi's condition had severely deteriorated over the past week, suffering from multiple serious ailments including pleural effusion, heart failure, kidney failure, and cystitis. Sakurai explained that due to the difficult situation where treatments for each condition could potentially worsen others, leaving no viable medical options, he made the painful decision to provide hospice care for Fukurashi at home. In response to Sakurai's post, numerous users on social media sent heartfelt messages. Many expressed wishes for Fukurashi to spend her remaining time peacefully, saying things like, "May Fukurashi-san's heart at least be at peace," and "Live with Sakurai-san for as long as possible." There were also many comments emphasizing the importance of home care, such as, "Choosing to pro...

An astonishing incident occurred in France when a 24-year-old man, complaining of severe abdominal pain, sought emergency medical attention. During emergency surgery, an unexploded shell from World War I was discovered in his rectum. The man had rushed to the hospital exclaiming, "My stomach really hurts!" The medical facility was temporarily thrown into chaos upon the discovery of a 16cm long, 4cm diameter projectile inside his body. As the found projectile was identified as unexploded ordnance, a bomb disposal squad was immediately dispatched. Under strict security, the disposal operation was successfully completed without incident. The shell has been identified as dating back to World War I. However, the biggest mystery remains: how did this shell enter the man's body? Hospital officials and authorities are currently investigating the circumstances, but no detailed information has been disclosed at this time. While the man's recovery is awaited, the elucidation of ...

On the SNS platform X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #高市モームリ (#TakaichiNoMore) has trended, signaling widespread public dissatisfaction and criticism directed at Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the current administration. Many users have posted their fervent feelings of “I can’t take it anymore,” expressing concerns across a wide range of issues including economic policy, political ethics, and leadership. Posts contain strong language directed at Prime Minister Takaichi’s policies and demeanor, such as “outright liar,” “physically unbearable,” and “don’t want to see her face.” Regarding economic policies in particular, some users have cited an unusual report from multiple banks cautioning against Prime Minister Takaichi’s “precarious understanding of the current situation,” while others have voiced concerns about the negative impact of the depreciating yen on processing and export industries, and even the possibility of a consumption tax hike from 12% to 20%. Small business owners a...