Tokyo International News Agency

Social media has been flooded with rumors that beloved Japanese actor Jiro Sato is entering an "indefinite hiatus" for medical rest, sparking widespread concern and debate online. While many fans have rushed to express their worry and hope for his speedy recovery, the situation has also ignited criticism against certain media outlets and raised serious questions about the authenticity of the information circulating online. Shock and Concern Sparked by Harassment Allegations in the Media The sudden spread of these rumors appears to be linked to recent weekly magazine reports and ongoing controversies surrounding harassment allegations within TV networks. In response to these reports, many internet users voiced sympathy for Sato, with comments like, "Such a wonderful actor has been pushed to the limit," and "I hope he can fully recover both physically and mentally." At the same time, fierce criticism has been directed at the media outlets and organizations b...

Information rapidly spreading online claiming that acclaimed Japanese actor Jiro Sato is entering an "indefinite period of rest and recuperation" has caused a major stir on social media. Following the reports, while many online voiced deep concern for Sato's well-being, fierce criticism also erupted against broadcasters like Fuji TV and weekly tabloid magazines over their handling of related harassment allegations and program production issues. Social media users expressed anger, with comments such as, "They have driven an amazing actor into a corner," and "Are they pushing the blame onto him by only listening to one side of the story?" This has intensified calls to hold the media and involved parties socially accountable. At the same time, some social media users are urging caution and trying to verify the facts calmly. Several users have pointed out that the spreading rumors might be misinformation or a hoax, noting that "Sato himself has not of...

Actor Fumiya Takahashi is set to make a guest appearance on the upcoming three-hour special of the popular TBS variety show Sore Snow Man ni Yarasetekudasai (commonly known as SoreSno ) on July 10, sparking a wave of excitement among fans on social media. This special episode features a collaboration with the legendary game show Tokyo Friend Park , where Takahashi will compete as a member of the team representing the new Friday drama series, T-Shirt ga Kawaku Made (Until the T-Shirt Dries). Excitement Builds as Drama Cast Teams Up for High-Energy Showdown Takahashi will be joined by a star-studded cast from his new drama, including Yu Aoi, Ayumu Nakajima, Kaho, and Kenichi Matsuyama. Together, they will face off in various physical challenges against the show's "general manager" Tatsuya Fukazawa (of Snow Man) and "deputy manager" Ryota Yamasato. Fans on social media have expressed immense excitement, with comments like, "I'm so happy Fumiya-kun is app...

The news that the Japanese husband-and-wife comedy duo, "Katsumi ♥ Sayuri," can finally see a clear path to paying off their massive debt has taken social media by storm. At its peak, their staggering debt reached a whopping 1.2 billion yen (approx. $8 million USD) across 43 different creditors. Today, that remaining balance has been whittled down to approximately 180 million yen (approx. $1.2 million USD). Adding to the milestone, the couple recently revealed that they passed a credit card screening for the first time in their lives, sparking a wave of surprise and warm congratulations online. On social media, netizens have jokingly compared this epic repayment saga to historic, long-term engineering marvels, such as the "completion of the Sagrada Família" or the "realization of a space elevator to the moon." However, the final payoff date is still projected to be "24 years from now," at which point Katsumi will be 87 years old and Sayuri will b...

Fuji Television has sparked intense debate on social media after issuing a statement regarding an alleged on-set conflict between actor Jiro Sato and co-star Ai Hashimoto during the filming of the drama Fubu Bessei Keiji (Married Couple with Different Surnames Detectives). According to reports, the friction began over ad-libbed physical contact during filming. A subsequent discussion in the dressing room, where Sato reportedly expressed his strong views on acting, led Fuji TV to issue a stern warning to Sato's agency to prevent recurrence, citing harassment. However, the situation has grown more complex following counter-reports that Sato himself had previously requested to step down from the production. Divided Opinions on Social Media: Sympathy and Support for Sato In response to these reports and Fuji TV's public statement, social media has erupted with diverse opinions. Many users have expressed sympathy for Sato, arguing, "It's unfair to villainize Sato over ad-l...

The departure information boards at Kami-Ooka Station (Konan Ward, Yokohama) on the Keikyu Line have received a modern upgrade. In a delightful twist, the new screens feature a digital animation that perfectly mimics the movement of the beloved retro "split-flap" (or "pata-pata") display boards once cherished by railway enthusiasts and commuters alike. This fusion of retro charm and cutting-edge technology—already dubbed the "digital pata-pata"—has become a massive hit on social media. Mechanical split-flap display boards, which made a distinct clicking sound as they flipped through destinations and train types, were once a common sight across the Keihin Electric Express Railway (Keikyu) network. Over the years, aging equipment led to their gradual retirement. However, in recent years, Keikyu has been leveraging the high-definition capabilities of modern LCD screens to recreate these classic flipping animations, starting with stations like Aomono-yokocho. ...

On July 2, Capcom announced that the release date for its upcoming sword-fighting action game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword , has been moved forward by three weeks. Originally scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, the game is now set to launch on Friday, September 4, 2026. While release delays are a common occurrence in the gaming industry, moving a release date up by nearly three weeks is extremely rare, sparking surprise and excitement across social media. Set in early Edo-period Kyoto, the game is a thrilling action title where players control the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Equipped with the powerful "Oni Gauntlet," players slash their way through hordes of demonic Genma. Explaining the schedule shift, Capcom stated the decision was made "to deliver the game to everyone as soon as possible." Following the announcement, Capcom's stock price surged significantly, drawing major attention from the business and investment communities. Fans have widely w...

Konami Digital Entertainment has announced that "Goe-Goe" will debut as a new archetype in the upcoming booster pack *Ruling Headliner* (Kunrin no Headliner) for its popular card game *Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel*, sparking major buzz on social media. "Goe-Goe" originates from "Goe Goe the Gallant Ninja," a character that previously appeared in the *Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG* (Official Card Game). Alongside the archetype's official debut in *Rush Duel*, a wave of illustrations for the related cards has been unveiled. What has particularly captured fans' attention is the high level of faithfulness to the source material. With 2026 marking the 40th anniversary of Konami's iconic action game franchise *Ganbare Goemon* (known as *Mystical Ninja* in the West), the newly revealed card illustrations for characters like "Yae," "Ebis," and "Sasuke" heavily reflect their original video game designs. On the other hand, the main protagonist, ...

On July 2, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) announced that Eniwa City in Hokkaido has been officially selected as the new home for their minor league (second-team) headquarters. The team aims to open the new facility in 2030, with specific stadium sites and detailed plans to be unveiled in the coming months. Why Eniwa Won the Bid Over Ebetsu and Tomakomai Eniwa City emerged victorious from a three-way competition that also included Ebetsu City and Tomakomai City. The primary deciding factors were Eniwa's close geographical proximity to New Chitose Airport—the main gateway to Hokkaido—and ESCON Field HOKKAIDO, the Fighters' first-team stadium located in neighboring Kitahiroshima City. The team praised Eniwa for its "attractive location, vast space, and immense potential." Following the announcement, the Mayor of Eniwa expressed deep gratitude and excitement, a sentiment echoed by many local residents and business owners...