Masaki Aiba Dominates Trends for Heartfelt Support and Long-Running Animal Welfare Project on '24-Hour Television'

Masaki Aiba of the popular idol group Arashi became a trending topic as 'Aiba-chan' on social media during the broadcast of Nippon TV's annual '24-Hour Television' telethon. His warm encouragement as a starter for the charity marathon and his long-running 'Aiba Grooming' project deeply moved viewers across Japan.

This year, Yu Yokoyama of the idol group Kanjani Eight undertook the challenging charity marathon, covering a distance of 105km. The signal for his start was given by his close friend, Masaki Aiba. As Yokoyama prepared to begin, Aiba was visibly emotional, shedding tears while expressing his thoughts for Yokoyama and his family. He offered heartfelt encouragement, saying, 'Don't push yourself too hard,' and 'Do your best, but don't overdo it.' The deep bond between the two, known since their early days as Johnny's Jr. trainees, resonated strongly with viewers. Social media was flooded with emotional comments such as 'So glad Aiba-chan was the starter!' and 'His heart is incredibly pure.'

Furthermore, Aiba's long-standing segment, 'Aiba Grooming,' also garnered a massive response. This project features rescued dogs, often brought from harsh and neglectful environments, being carefully groomed by Aiba himself. Viewers were profoundly moved by the sight of these dogs, healed both physically and mentally through Aiba's compassionate care. Aiba has been dedicated to this activity for eight years, a commitment that has drawn widespread praise. Comments included, 'He doesn't boast about his grooming skills or the number of animals he's helped; he continues this to raise awareness about the plight of rescued dogs and hopes to alleviate their terrible situations, even if just a little,' and 'You couldn't continue this for 8 years without a true love for animals; I really respect him.' Many also fondly recalled Aiba's bond with the late legendary comedian Ken Shimura, with comments like, 'Shimura-san, Aiba-chan is doing great!'

Aiba's activities on this day transcended mere program segments; they conveyed deep emotion and empathy to many, fostering increased awareness for animal welfare and showcasing profound compassion for a friend facing a significant challenge. 'Aiba-chan's' humble and kind personality was once again brought to the forefront, as social media overflowed with warm and appreciative messages.

The Context

'24-Hour Television: Love Saves the Earth' (24時間テレビ 愛は地球を救う) is an annual telethon broadcast by Nippon Television in Japan. It typically runs for approximately 24 hours over a weekend in late August. The program features a variety of charity segments, including a main charity marathon where a celebrity runs a significant distance, live performances, and human-interest stories, all aimed at raising funds for various causes, including welfare, disaster relief, and environmental protection.

Masaki Aiba is a highly popular Japanese idol, singer, actor, and television personality. He is a member of the iconic boy band Arashi, which went on hiatus at the end of 2020. Aiba is widely known for his gentle demeanor and his genuine love for animals, often participating in animal-related television shows and projects. The nickname 'Aiba-chan' is an affectionate diminutive used by fans and close acquaintances.

Kanjani Eight is another prominent Japanese idol group managed by Johnny & Associates (now SMILE-UP.), the same talent agency as Arashi. Yu Yokoyama is a member of Kanjani Eight and is known to have a close friendship with Masaki Aiba, a bond that dates back to their training days as Johnny's Jr.s.

Ken Shimura was a legendary Japanese comedian and television personality who sadly passed away in 2020. He was deeply respected and loved by generations of Japanese audiences. Masaki Aiba had a very close working relationship and friendship with him, particularly on popular animal-themed television programs, and Shimura was a significant mentor figure to Aiba.