Tokyo International News Agency

The Osaka Shochikuza Theater, a beloved symbol of Dotonbori in Osaka, has reversed its decision to close in May 2026 and has now finalized a plan to continue operations. This good news has brought relief and joy to many citizens and cultural figures. Initially, the closure was announced due to aging facilities, among other reasons, leading to widespread disappointment that another historic cultural hub would disappear from Dotonbori. However, Shochiku Co., Ltd., the theater's operator, announced that after repeated discussions with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, they concluded that "the historical role it has played should be continued through some means." This led to the decision to keep the theater running. On social media, numerous voices have welcomed this decision. Comments such as "Relieved that Dotonbori's cultural light won't be extinguished," "Happy because it's a place with memories of important people," and "I was disappoi...

On March 29th, the on-demand streaming of "Honma Oki ni Osaka Shochikuza" began, generating significant buzz among fans. The long-awaited launch of the stream led to a flood of joyful posts on social media, such as "I watched the live stream that day, but watching it again is still so moving and amazing!" and "So happy to finally watch the stream!" This once again demonstrated the immense enthusiasm surrounding the event. This performance was a special stage gathering popular idols with ties to the Kansai region. The on-demand stream allowed fans to relive those moving moments. In particular, the sight of Kanjani Eight and Hiroki Uchi standing together on the Shochikuza stage drew deep emotions and gratitude from long-time fans, with comments like "I can only express gratitude for being able to see Uchi-kun on stage with Eight at Shochikuza in this video" and "There's just something incredibly moving about seeing them together." Eve...

On March 24, 2026, the “Honma Ookini Osaka Shochikuza Graduation Ceremony” was held at the Osaka Shochikuza, captivating a large audience of fans with emotion and enthusiasm. The event brought together both new and veteran artists from the Kansai region who have graced the stage of Shochikuza, a venue integral to the history of Kansai Johnny's Jr. An online stream was also provided, allowing fans who couldn't attend in person to collectively witness this special “graduation ceremony.” Social media was flooded with comments such as “It was truly amazing!” and “Thank you for so many tears, laughs, and感動 (emotions)!” reflecting how deeply the event resonated with fans. The live performance kicked off with “Firebird,” instantly raising the energy in the venue to its peak. Following this, “SUPER ROCKET” evoked nostalgia and many tears from fans who remembered the song from its heyday. The performance of “Osaka Romanesque,” symbolizing the strong bonds within Kansai, drew numerous co...

The event "Honma Ookini Osaka Shochikuza ~WE are Shochikuza Danshi. Thank you for your long-standing support. The days we faced each other in the Japanese-style dressing rooms during our Kansai Jr. days. A SUPER Aぇ! Graduation Ceremony in such a place of youth.~" held at Osaka Shochikuza has become a huge topic on social media. What particularly excited fans was the "Dressing Room Assignments" information, which was revealed up until the day of the event. When the normally undisclosed combinations of performers' dressing rooms were revealed, X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with cries of surprise and joy such as "The dressing room assignments are too brilliant, I'm grateful enough to pay," "The fan service is too good," and "I could eat a meal just with these dressing room assignments." Fans rejoiced at the unexpected surprise from the official source and praised the planning as "god-tier content" and suggested "a...

The eagerly anticipated concert "Honma Ookini Osaka Shochikuza ~WE are Shochikuza Boys. Thank you for your long-standing support. The days we faced each other in the tatami dressing room during our Kansai Jr. days. A SUPER Aぇ! Graduation Ceremony at such a place of youth.~" is fast approaching. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), a whirlwind of excitement surrounds the star-studded lineup and the fervent anticipation from fans. With "10 days until the performance" announced as of March 14, and details of the live stream now public, the buzz is palpable. Fans are particularly thrilled by the official account's invitation for "combinations of photos you want to see." In response to the hopeful sentiment of "Maybe we'll see them somewhere...?", numerous nostalgic pairings that are irresistible to long-time fans have been requested. Specifically, there's an overwhelming demand for a three-shot reunion of Nagase Ren, Nishihata D...

The trending SNS keyword “Washitsu no Gakuya” (Japanese-style dressing room) has rapidly risen, evoking deep emotion and resonance among many fans. This keyword is linked to a live-streamed event titled “Honma Ooki ni Osaka Shochikuza ~WE are Shochikuza Boys. Thank you for your long-standing support. The days we faced each other in the Japanese-style dressing room during our Kanjuni days. A SUPER Aぇ! Graduation Ceremony at that very place of our youth.~” which is being held at the Osaka Shochikuza. For the popular group Aぇ! group, this event is a special occasion marking their “graduation” from the Osaka Shochikuza, a venue that has served as their base of activities for many years. Particular attention is being drawn to the “Washitsu no Gakuya,” the Japanese-style dressing room where the members spent their time during their Kansai Johnny's Jr. era. Fans are expressing sentiments such as, “It feels like just yesterday when they were all crammed into that Japanese-style dressing ro...