Tokyo International News Agency

On the afternoon of the 11th, a dine-and-dash incident involving two young men occurred at Oyasumidokoro Sakura Chaya in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. Although the damage amounted to a small sum—two goheimochi rice cakes and one ramune soda—the fact that the culprits were carrying a shopping bag from the popular YouTuber group Tokai On Air suggests they were fans on a "sacred site pilgrimage," leading to a significant stir on social media. According to Sakura Chaya's announcement, the dine-and-dash took place around 2:50 PM on the 11th. The culprits were described as two young men wearing red-colored T-shirts. The shop, located on the grounds of Okazaki Castle, is known as one of the "sacred sites" frequently visited by Tokai On Air fans. Upon hearing the news, many users on X (formerly Twitter) expressed condemnation. Harsh comments such as "Dine-and-dashers are scum," "Pathetic," and "Uncool" poured in. Regarding the act of not ...

The TV anime adaptation of "Let's Go Kaikigumi," a popular manga serialized on the web media "Omocoro," has been announced, leading to an outpouring of joy and anticipation from fans on social media. This announcement brought a double surprise for fans: in addition to the anime adaptation, the original manga will also "enter a new arc" with a new series beginning serialization soon. Many users posted comments expressing their surprise and excitement, such as "Yes!", "This is so hot!", and "An anime adaptation, no way!" Long-time fans shared their deep emotions, with comments like, "I've been a fan since the first volume" and "To think that 'Let's Go Kaikigumi' I used to see on Pixiv and Twitter is getting an anime... it's truly moving." Many posts also urged new audiences to check out the work, saying things like, "Everyone, watch 'Let's Go Kaikigumi'!" and ...

HoYoverse has announced the arrival of a new character, "Dianling," in its urban fantasy action RPG, "Zenless Zone Zero (Zenless Zone Zero)," officially revealing that popular voice actress Ayana Taketatsu will lend her voice to the role. This announcement garnered significant attention on X (formerly Twitter), quickly becoming a trending topic. Dianling has captivated players not only with her adorable visual design but also with her distinctive character traits, described as "mesugaki" (a playful, teasing girl), "amusingly provocative," and prone to "blushing easily." X users have flooded the platform with comments such as "Dianling is cute!" "Dianling is so mesugaki, it's hilarious. I'm pulling for her," and "Another interesting woman is joining the roster," clearly indicating that her unique charm has resonated with many players. Furthermore, Dianling has been confirmed to possess powerful ...

Popular voice actress Ami Koshimizu achieved an impressive victory at a Beyblade tournament held during a special program for the anime BEYBLADE X . Koshimizu, a self-proclaimed 'Beyblade beginner,' used the 'Pegasus Blast,' a Beyblade known for its powerful performance. Its overwhelming strength and the 'miracle' of it coming to a complete stop in the center of the stadium after her victory became a massive topic on social media, with related keywords temporarily reaching number one on Yahoo! Trends, creating immense excitement. During the special program's matches, Koshimizu successively overwhelmed male contestants, including fellow voice actress Yuuko Natsuyoshi, who plays her daughter in the anime. Despite her humble pre-tournament comments like, 'I'm a Beyblade beginner... I'm just doing this to play with my relatives' children,' it was revealed that she had prepared powerful Beys such as Viper Tail, Aero Pegasus, and the 'Pegas...

On October 11, 2025, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars delivered a stunning performance, hitting two home runs to lead his team to a decisive victory in Game 1 of the JERA Climax Series Central League First Stage. His solo home run in the bottom of the 6th inning, which directly hit the left-field foul pole, became a major topic of conversation, with "ポール直撃" (Pole Shot) trending on social media. Tsutsugo first put the team on the board in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a powerful solo shot over the right field wall off Giants starter Iori Yamasaki. Then, with a three-run lead in the bottom of the 6th, he once again faced Yamasaki and launched a high fly ball towards left field that struck the left-field foul pole for another solo home run. This second blast of the day extended the lead and sent the fans, who had dyed Yokohama Stadium 360 degrees in "BayStars Blue," into a frenzy. This "pole shot" captivated many fans with its dramatic sou...

Vinyl Tacky, an esteemed film critic beloved by many movie fans, has suddenly passed away. This was announced by his wife via a post on X (formerly Twitter). She reported that he "collapsed on his way home from Tokyo, where he had gone to see a film he wanted to watch, and although he was rushed to the hospital, he did not recover." This obituary offers a glimpse into a life dedicated to a deep love for cinema. Vinyl Tacky was known for writing numerous articles as a "film promotion watcher." In particular, his series for Eiga Natalie garnered immense trust from many film professionals and readers by taking a positive view of often-criticized film promotions, conveying their appeal and ingenuity. Given that he was actively tweeting on X just the day before, his sudden passing has sent a profound shockwave through the film community. Following news of his death, X was flooded with expressions of sadness and surprise, such as "He was a trustworthy film account,...

The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Climax Series (CS) 1st Stage kicked off on the 11th, with intense battles unfolding in both the Pacific and Central Leagues. Solo home runs soared across various ballparks, making crucial contributions to teams at pivotal moments in the games. In the Pacific League, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters defeated the Orix Buffaloes 2-0 in their opening game. The Fighters broke the deadlock with a go-ahead timely hit from Kosei Manami, then extended their lead with a spectacular solo home run by Yuya Gunji. Gunji seized an elevated off-speed pitch, sending the ball “soaring” with remarkable distance. Fans praised his performance with comments like, “That solo home run was incredibly cool!” and “Soaring Gunji!” On the pitching front, starter Hiroki Ito delivered a masterful performance, tossing 7 scoreless innings, which was followed by a perfect relay from Seigi Tanaka and Yukiya Saito, securing a shutout victory....

As the NPB Climax Series (CS) First Stage ignites fierce competition across various venues, the phrase "crucial additional runs" has garnered significant attention on social media, becoming a trending topic. Fans from both leagues have erupted in cheers for these decisive scores that heavily influence the outcome of games. In the Central League, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars secured victory in their opening game against the Yomiuri Giants with multiple "crucial additional runs." Slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo energized the team with two solo home runs, including a go-ahead blast. Tattsuo Ebina, who has maintained strong form since the regular season, also added to the team's score with a timely hit in the third inning. Furthermore, captain Shugo Maki, making his return, delivered a much-anticipated timely hit in the bottom of the eighth, extending the lead. Catcher Yamamoto's sacrifice fly also shone, exciting fans as a gritty yet vital run. Combined with Kenta Is...

Popular actress Ryoko Yonekura (50) is reportedly the target of a full-scale investigation by the Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare Narcotics Control Department (commonly known as "Matori") on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act. This news, reported as an exclusive scoop by Weekly Bunshun, has sent significant ripples throughout the industry. According to the report, Matori has already raided Yonekura's home, and illegal drugs were reportedly seized during the search. This development has sent shockwaves both within and outside the entertainment industry, with whispers of "Is the empress falling?" Matori's involvement suggests that this is no mere gossip, but an incident highly likely to be treated seriously as a "case" to be adjudicated in a court of law. Yonekura has been a top actress known for her iconic line, "I never fail," from the drama "Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon." Concerns are risi...

The 'high-speed mochi pounding' of Nakatani-do, a well-known tourist attraction in Nara, is currently attracting significant attention on social media. Articles reporting on the 'distress' of the popular shop's owner, as covered by Livedoor News and Toyo Keizai Online, have spread widely, leading many users to discuss the nature of this traditional mochi-making method. Its inclusion in Yahoo! News' trending topics further indicates the high level of public interest. Many posts refer to the high-speed mochi pounding at 'Nakatani-do' in Nara City, with numerous users praising the fresh mochi produced by their expert technique, saying, 'Freshly pounded mochi is the best!' The Owner's Plea: 'It's Not a Performance' According to reports, the owner of Nakatani-do is deeply distressed by the perception that his high-speed mochi pounding is merely a street performance or an object of amusement, insisting that it is 'a pure, ancient me...

An extraordinary “nagashi somen” (flowing noodles) event, staged on the iconic grand staircase of the Kyoto Station Building, a gateway to Kyoto, has generated significant buzz on social media. Despite the deepening autumn, the refreshing sight of somen noodles flowing swiftly delighted visitors and drew a large crowd. The event featured a magnificent nagashi somen apparatus crafted by the “World Nagashi Somen Association,” astounding attendees with its scale. Furthermore, celebrity Kenji Moriwaki made a special guest appearance, further energizing the venue. Moriwaki interacted with visitors through activities like a rock-paper-scissors tournament, and his comments, such as “The fusion of youth and local charm is so emotional,” were posted on social media, enhancing the event’s appeal. This unique project was held as part of the Kyoto Station Building Art Festival “GEIJUTSU NO EKI 2025,” leading to comments that “the station building is evolving into a city theater.” The Kyoto Station...

The mysterious lifeform "Zovarasu," which suddenly appeared in the currently airing tokusatsu drama "Ultraman Omega," is generating significant buzz among viewers. Its appearance in Episode 14, "Omega Eradication Order," and the preview of its continued presence in the following week's Episode 15, "The Protectors," have quickly made it a trending topic on social media and a top-ranked Yahoo! trending word, underscoring its high level of attention. Zovarasu is introduced as a being deeply connected to the past of Ultraman Omega's protagonist, Solato. In particular, the possibility that Zovarasu is responsible for Solato's amnesia has been suggested, and with both characters wearing identical pendants, various speculations are flying regarding their relationship. Its design has garnered praise from viewers, with comments like "too handsome for a kaiju" and "insect-like yet unsettling like Zetton." Its characteristi...

Komeito, which has been in a coalition government with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for many years, has announced its departure from the ruling bloc and requested to attend the opposition parties' Diet Affairs Committee Chairpersons' meeting. This development has sent significant ripples through Nagatacho, Japan's political center. According to sources, Komeito conveyed its intention to the opposition parties, stating, "We would like to attend the opposition parties' Diet Affairs Committee Chairpersons' meeting from next week onward." This opposition meeting serves as a forum to discuss responses to the ruling party's Diet management. Komeito's participation is seen as signaling full-fledged cooperation with the opposition. This move, coming immediately after Komeito's withdrawal from the coalition with the LDP, has the potential to create new dynamics in the political landscape. On social media, expressions of anticipation such as ...

The long-awaited new season of the anime "Dorohedoro" has been announced for a near-simultaneous worldwide release in Spring 2026. This news has sparked an outpouring of joy on social media, with enthusiastic comments like "Yay!", "Too excited!", and "Everyone should watch this!" flooding feeds and causing the topic to trend. New Season to Reach the World in Spring 2026 The sequel to the "Dorohedoro" anime is scheduled to be distributed to fans worldwide in Spring 2026. A new key visual has also been released, vividly capturing the chaotic yet pop aesthetic of the series, further intensifying anticipation. This announcement, eagerly awaited by many fans for several years, has elicited a mix of emotions. From straightforward exclamations of joy like "Dorohedoro Season 2 is HERE! (ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━!!", to sighs of relief such as "I was worried because there was no news about Season 2, but yay!" and "Finally... it's fi...

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a statement titled "On the 80th Anniversary of the Post-War Era" and held a press conference on the 10th. This statement, issued as Japan approaches 80 years since the end of World War II, outlines Japan's historical understanding and its guiding principles for the future. Its content has garnered significant attention on social media. In his statement, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of "liberalism with the courage and sincerity to confront the past." He delved deeply into the historical circumstances surrounding past wars, particularly addressing the question, "Why could that war not have been avoided?" He offered a multifaceted analysis, including issues with the Meiji Constitution (Imperial Japanese Constitution), dysfunctions within the government and parliament, a lack of civilian control, and the role of the media in inciting war. The full text of the statement is publicly available on platfor...

On October 10, 2025, Komeito officially decided to withdraw from its long-standing coalition government with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), sending significant shockwaves through the political world. During a party leaders' meeting held on this day, Komeito conveyed its decision to dissolve the coalition to the LDP. The termination of the LDP-Komeito coalition, which lasted for 26 years, comes immediately after the inauguration of a new LDP leadership under new President Sanae Takaichi, introducing extreme uncertainty into the future political landscape, particularly regarding the next House of Representatives election. The news, reported as an "extra" edition by the Nikkei Shimbun's electronic version, quickly spread across social media. "Komeito Coalition Withdrawal" became a trending topic, with many users expressing welcome with comments such as "Congratulations!", "Good news!", and "This is incredibly exciting!" At th...

It has been revealed that Komeito unilaterally notified the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of its withdrawal from the coalition government, marking a new phase for the long-standing LDP-Komeito administration. LDP President Takaichi stated at a press conference on the 10th, "Komeito unilaterally informed us of their departure from the coalition government. This has led to a very regrettable conclusion," expressing regret over Komeito's decision. Komeito's withdrawal is reportedly rooted in dissatisfaction with the LDP's handling of "politics and money" issues, particularly concerning the proposed amendments to the Political Funds Control Act. Representative Saito criticized the LDP's response as "truly inadequate" and indicated that electoral cooperation would also be put back on the drawing board. President Takaichi's remark about the withdrawal being "unilateral" has caused a significant stir on social media. A barrage of ...

On October 10, 2025, at 10:10 AM, a special moment — "Showa 100, October 10, 10:10 AM" — became a major topic on X (formerly Twitter), quickly becoming a trending topic. This date marked the 100th year since the start of the Showa era (1926). Many users were captivated by the "zorome" (repeating digits) sequence, where the year (Showa 100), month, day, hour, and minute all aligned to "10," creating a wave of excitement across Japan. Amidst rising expectations of this being a "once-in-a-lifetime miraculous moment" and "a numerical alignment that feels like divine design," many users attempted to capture this precious instant by taking screenshots of their smartphone or PC clock displays. Social media was flooded with posts sharing their joy, such as "Got it!" and clapping emojis. Some even self-deprecatingly reported their success with comments like, "I've done something incredibly idle 😁😁😁." Conversely, numero...

At approximately 10:44 AM Japan time on October 10, a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck with its epicenter near the Philippines. Following this earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a "Tsunami Forecast (slight sea-level changes)" for the Japanese coast, although no damage from a tsunami is expected. The epicenter was located near Mindanao in the Philippine Islands, with the depth estimated by some sources to be 58.1 km. For an earthquake of this magnitude, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued warnings, indicating the possibility of a 1-3 meter tsunami for the Philippine coast and 0.3-1 meter for Indonesia and Palau. Residents in these areas are urged to remain vigilant. In Japan, slight sea-level changes (less than 0.2 meters) are anticipated across a wide range of coastal areas, including Miyagi Prefecture, Sagami Bay, and the Uwa Sea coast in Ehime Prefecture. Consequently, people near the coast are advised to pay attention to waves as ...

The announcement that American Pharoah, the 2015 American Triple Crown winner, will stand in Japan in 2026 has sent a ripple of excitement and anticipation through the racing world. According to the Japan Association for Racing Sires (JARS), American Pharoah is scheduled to stand for one season in 2026 at the Shizunai Stallion Station. This historic news quickly spread across social media platform "X." Numerous surprised reactions poured in, such as "No way! American Pharoah is coming to Japan, that's amazing!" and "What?! American Pharoah coming to Japan?!" Even though it's a shuttle arrangement on a lease, the arrival of this legendary Triple Crown winner is widely regarded as "historic news." Particular attention has been drawn to the exceptionally low stud fee of 4 million yen (approximately $26,000 USD). Many comments highlighted the economic advantage, with users saying, "That feels like an incredible bargain," "It se...

On October 10, 2025, the phrase "Kimi ga Hoshii" (I want you), uttered by Nerissa Ravencroft, a singer belonging to the VTuber group hololive English, swept the trending topics on SNS X (formerly Twitter) and Yahoo! Japan. The phenomenon began when Nerissa herself started posting a series of messages that could be interpreted as "confessions" to various hololive members, such as "La+ Darknesss-senpai, I want you...", "Hui Ao, I want you," and "Yukihana Lamy-chan, I want you...". These rapid-fire posts quickly became a hot topic among fans, leading to numerous comments like "Nerissa has become a 'Kimi ga Hoshii bot'" and "What is this 'Kimi ga Hoshii bot' lololol," ultimately leading to her being described as the "Kimi ga Hoshii bot" herself. The impact was significant, with "Kimi ga Hoshii" ranking high on Yahoo! Japan's trending topics, indicating widespread attention. Fans hu...

Today, October 10, 2025, the phrase 'Showa 100th Year, October 10th' garnered significant attention on social media and trended. Many users reacted to this catchy date, sharing it as a special day. On X (formerly Twitter), posts like 'Today is Showa 100th Year, October 10th' flooded timelines, with users expressing sentiments such as 'Knowing this gives a mysterious sense of specialness and nostalgia' and 'My heart is dancing.' There were also many eagerly anticipating the precise moment of 'Showa 100th Year, October 10th, 10:10,' marking it as a visually auspicious 'all-same-numbers' time. This unique date also sparked intergenerational conversations. Users born in the Showa era humorously reflected on their age and era, with comments like 'Hearing this makes me feel really old' and 'To someone born in the Reiwa era, I must seem like someone from ancient times, like a grandmother.' Some even posted *tanka* (a form of Japa...

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was announced on the 8th, with three individuals, including Kyoto University Distinguished Professor Susumu Kitagawa, being honored with the prestigious award. Professor Kitagawa and his colleagues were recognized for establishing a new field in materials science through their development of "Metal-Organic Frameworks" (MOFs), which possess countless minute pores. MOFs have garnered attention as groundbreaking materials with various functions, including gas adsorption and separation, and catalytic reactions. Significant contributions to decarbonization technologies for global warming countermeasures are particularly expected, with applied research in areas such as efficient CO2 (carbon dioxide) capture and hydrogen storage progressing worldwide. Furthermore, their practical applications are diverse, ranging from maintaining the freshness of fruits, semiconductor manufacturing processes, and even the highly efficient separation of water and hea...

The announcement that the popular song "Yonaga Orchestra" will be performed at the "Nijisanji WORLD TOUR 2025 Singin’ in the Rainbow! Hiroshima Performance" (#SitR Hiroshima), a live event hosted by the VTuber group "Nijisanji," has generated significant excitement among fans. Leading up to the event on Saturday, October 18, an official call-and-response (ko-res) practice video for "Yonaga Orchestra" has also been released, further building anticipation for a unified experience at the venue. On social media, numerous expressions of joy have been posted, such as "They announced 'Yonaga Orchestra'—yay!! So excited for the call-and-response!🤩", "It's going to be so much fun doing the call-and-response live~!!!", and "Thank you for confirming 'Yonaga Orchestra' for the Hiroshima performance. I listen to this song so much because I love it." This clearly indicates the high anticipation among fans to e...

When an interview for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi was on standby, a comment from some members of the press, "I'll lower her approval rating," was spread via live stream, causing a major stir on social media. The problematic remarks were reportedly picked up while reporters were waiting for the interview with President Takaichi to begin. The audio is said to have included not only the voice saying, "I'll lower her approval rating," but also specific comments such as, "It's about slush funds and Yasukuni, isn't it?" "Yasukuni is non-negotiable," and "She's probably listening to instructions from Aso through her earpiece." As this news spread on social media, harsh criticisms against news organizations poured in, with comments like, "Old media is full of idiots," "Let's put an end to the old media," and "Only arrogant and stupid people can call themselves reporter...

Popular bento chain Hokka Hokka Tei has become a major topic of discussion on social media as it searches for the person who designed and created its long-beloved logo font, ahead of its 50th anniversary in June 2026. According to Hokka Hokka Tei's official X (formerly Twitter) account, this distinctive handwritten-style font was designed by a part-time student over 50 years ago. The company is appealing for information, stating its desire to express gratitude to this 'elusive designer' who has supported the chain's history since its first store opened in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture. Reports indicate that this search has already been featured on the popular TV program 'Detective Knight Scoop'. This news has been reported by various media outlets such as ORICON NEWS and ITmedia NEWS, with numerous supportive comments flooding X, including remarks like 'I didn't know the designer was unknown! I hope they're found,' 'It's amazing that a ...

The major VTuber group Nijisanji has announced its decision to host "KZHCUP in League of Legends," an official tournament for the popular esports title 'League of Legends (LoL),' generating significant excitement within the fan community. This tournament will be hosted by Kuzuha, a popular VTuber affiliated with Nijisanji, and marks the group's first official LoL tournament. Following the announcement on the official X (formerly Twitter) account, many fans reacted with surprise and joy, exclaiming things like "A LoL tournament!?" and "Niji LoL tournament is here!!!" The announcement was particularly long-awaited by fans, given the previous perception that holding a LoL tournament within the group had been difficult. Details of the tournament are set to be revealed during an announcement stream on Saturday, October 11th, starting at 7 PM JST. Fans are already expressing immense anticipation regarding participating Livers and team compositions, w...

A statement, 'I'll lower her approval rating,' leaked from a live stream during a waiting period for journalists to interview Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential candidate Sanae Takaichi, causing a significant stir on social media. This audio quickly spread, drawing strong criticism regarding the impartiality and ethics of news organizations. The controversial remark was heard among journalists waiting for Ms. Takaichi's 'burasagari kaiken' (impromptu press scrum) and reached a wide audience through the live-streamed video. In addition to the blatant 'I'll lower her approval rating' comment, other audio snippets like 'It's about slush funds and Yasukuni, right?', 'Yasukuni cannot be compromised,' and 'Wearing earphones and getting instructions from Mr. Aso' also spread, fueling speculation about their intent and context. On social media, strong distrust and criticism toward news organizations abounded, with comment...