Tokyo International News Agency

The music video for "Yume no Tsuzuki" (The Continuation of a Dream), the B-side track of the 21st single by the popular idol group =LOVE, produced by Rino Sashihara, has been released and is generating a massive wave of emotion and buzz on social media. Immediately after its release, related terms trended on X (formerly Twitter), with a flood of glowing reviews such as "I couldn't stop crying from the vocals right after the interlude" and "It's such a godly song I'm left speechless." Many listeners were deeply moved by the lyrics, which warmly dispel the vague anxieties and doubts fans often hold about the future, as well as the production that evokes the group's journey so far. A multitude of hopeful voices looking toward the group's future have emerged, including comments like, "I used to worry, imagining that once they achieved a dome concert it might all be over, but the lyric 'The continuation of the dream is eternal' ...

Japanese idol group =LOVE (Equal Love), produced by former AKB48 member Rino Sashihara, has announced that the music video for "Koi, Hajimemashita." (I've Fallen in Love), the title track of their 21st single, will premiere on their official YouTube channel on August 14 at 10:00 PM JST. Following the announcement, hashtags such as "#KoiHajimemashita" and "#EquLove" trended across social media, sparking immense excitement among fans. The track is already available on digital streaming platforms ahead of the official release, drawing enthusiastic praise from listeners with comments like, "It's constantly playing on repeat in my head," and "It's so cute I can listen to it forever." Additionally, the group's official TikTok account has uploaded dance videos in performance attire, as well as a special collaboration video featuring Hayate Wada from the popular dance and vocal group Da-iCE, further thrilling the fanbase. Even t...

=LOVE, the idol group produced by former top idol Rino Sashihara, appeared on the TBS music program "CDTV Live! Live!" on August 3, where they delivered the first television performance of their 21st single title track, "Koi, Hajimemashita." ("I've Started Falling in Love"), ahead of its August 26 CD release. The performance sparked an immediate online buzz, with related terms trending on social media shortly after the broadcast. During the program, the group performed the new track alongside their summer hit "Natsumatope." Dressed in brand-new costumes featuring elegant black lace gloves, the members delighted viewers with a vibrant execution of a quintessential, high-energy idol song. Fans flooded social media with glowing reactions, praising the outfits as "beyond cute" and calling the track the ultimate classic idol anthem. The song's high quality—composed by Ryuki Koike and arranged by Menma—also drew widespread acclaim, wi...

The music video for "Natsu wa Jewelry" ("Summer is Jewelry"), a B-side track featured on the upcoming 5th single by the Rino Sashihara-produced idol group ≒JOY (Nearly Equal Joy), has officially been released, generating enthusiastic buzz among fans. The track is a bright, refreshing summer love song that captures the spirit of the season with upbeat sounds and pure romantic sentiment. Taking the center position for this song is member Jurii Aida, who is widely recognized for her exceptional vocal talent that drives the group's performances. The clever double meaning connecting the song's title ("Jewelry") to her name ("Jurii") has added extra hype, drawing immediate attention following the video's release. Fellow member Ayumi Ichihara praised the release on social media, writing, "It's a full-on summer MV! A pure love song about a refreshing romance." Fans flooded comment sections with celebratory messages, such as ...

≒JOY (Nearly Equal Joy), the idol group produced by Rino Sashihara, has released the music video for "Watashi Chuiho" ("Warning: Me"), a coupling track from their 5th single, on their official YouTube channel and other platforms. Featuring members Ren Esumi and Momoka as dual centers, the song sparked immediate buzz across social media upon its release. Centered around the theme of "please accept my heavy love," the song is characterized by its unforgettable, catchy melody and vibrant, lively atmosphere. On social media, Esumi appealed to fans directly, asking, "Will you accept my heavy, heavy love??" In response, fans flooded online platforms with praise, calling it an "absolute genius track" and declaring, "It's so good I can't calm down." The music video's visual aesthetics and costumes have also drawn significant attention. Alongside classic school uniform attire, members showcase a variety of hairstyles, inclu...

The idol group ≒JOY (Nearly Equal Joy), produced by Rino Sashihara, has released the music video for their 5th single, "Summer Twintails," sparking a massive wave of excitement across social media. This track is a quintessential idol song that perfectly captures the spirit of summer. As the title suggests, the video features a stunning visual concept where all members, including those who rarely wear the hairstyle, are seen sporting "twintails." The performance shines a spotlight on the unique charm of each member, led by center Ayumi Ichihara. Fans have been flooding the internet with praise, calling the video "an overwhelming explosion of cuteness" and declaring it a "guaranteed masterpiece" even before hearing it. Producer Rino Sashihara herself shared her enthusiasm on social media, teasing her attention to detail regarding the song's memorable spoken lines by posting, "A woman who possesses various patterns of lines..." The cho...

≠ME, the popular idol group produced by Rino Sashihara, has stunned fans by announcing a surprise audition for new members. As the group has operated without any lineup additions since its inception, this decision represents a significant and unprecedented shift, sparking a wave of surprise, confusion, and mixed reactions across social media. The context ≠ME (pronounced "Not Equal Me" and nicknamed "Noime") is a sister group to the equally popular =LOVE. Both groups are produced by former AKB48 star Rino Sashihara. Since their formation, they have maintained a consistent lineup, which has fostered deep emotional bonds between the members and their dedicated fanbase. In the Japanese idol industry, adding new members to established groups is a controversial topic, as fans often develop a strong attachment to the existing dynamic, making such transitions emotionally complex for supporters. Immediately following the announcement, "Noime New Member Audition" tr...

J-pop idol group "=LOVE" (Equal Love), produced by former HKT48 superstar Rino Sashihara, has announced their first-ever solo concert at the iconic Tokyo Dome, scheduled for January 2027. The surprise announcement was made on June 21, 2026, during the final day of their massive "Beyond 'KYUN'♡" stadium live at Tokyo's National Stadium, sending shockwaves of joy and celebration across social media. The landmark event, titled "=LOVE in TOKYO DOME," will span two days: Tuesday, January 19, and Wednesday, January 20, 2027. Ticket pre-sales are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 13 at 5:00 PM (JST), with further details to be released at a later date. Fans at the venue and those watching the livestream flooded social media with emotional messages, saying, "Huge congratulations! I'm crying my eyes out," and "Thank you for finally taking us to our dream stage." This announcement holds profound meaning for both the members a...

On May 4, 2026, the idol group ≠ME (Noimee), produced by Rino Sashihara, kicked off their highly anticipated Arena Tour 2026, "Kassai Parade" (Cheers Parade), at the Tokyo Garden Theater. From the very first day, the group delivered breathtaking performances, including the debut of a new track. The event quickly became a hot topic online, with hashtags like "#Noimee" and "Kassai Parade" trending on social media platforms. The tour’s titular song, "Kassai Parade," was revealed to be a brand-new track written specifically for this series of concerts. As the opening number, it immediately pushed the venue's energy to its peak. Fans expressed their excitement, with comments like "I was so curious about the song, and it turned out to be amazing" and "The costumes are fresh and adorable," signaling that the track is destined to become a new staple for the group. The setlist, which fans dubbed a "God-tier setlist," feat...

Rino Sashihara, producer of the idol group "=LOVE," shed tears of joy as their song "Tokubetsu Shite" (とくべチュ、して) won the Lyricist Award at the 67th Japan Record Awards. =LOVE captivated the audience by performing the award-winning song in stunning new costumes, a performance that garnered widespread praise from viewers. News of the award quickly spread across social media. =LOVE's official account and member Kiala Saito posted messages expressing profound gratitude to Rino Sashihara and their dedicated fans. Saito specifically shared her emotions, stating, "Performing with Sashihara-san watching over us, my heart was deeply moved by the emotion." Her mention of the group's new costumes also sparked considerable excitement among fans. Upon receiving the prestigious award, Rino Sashihara commented, "I'm filled with gratitude for Akimoto-san," sharing her immense joy and deep emotion as a producer. Even MC Shinichiro Azumi offered warm c...

The upcoming broadcast of the popular music program "Music Station" (commonly known as M-Ste), aired on TV Asahi, is drawing considerable attention, especially on social media. The announcement of idol group =LOVE (Equal Love)'s appearance has particularly delighted fans. For the broadcast on Thursday, August 22nd, starting at 9:00 PM, =LOVE is set to perform a special medley featuring "Tokubechu, Shite" and their new song "Naisho Banashi." As this will be the first television performance of "Naisho Banashi," many fans are eagerly anticipating the show. On social media, joyful comments are pouring in, such as "Congratulations to Ikolove-chan on their third M-Ste appearance!!" "Can't believe the day has come when Ikolove-chan will perform a medley on M-Ste 🥹," and "Congratulations on your M-Ste appearance! Looking forward to the special medley🫶🏻." There are also comments from new fans, with some stating, ...