Latest news with #Gunma
Japan Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Idol-pop project redefines kawaii for the TikTok generation
Misa Kimura was still a student from Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, when she visited Tokyo's Harajuku neighborhood for the first time. It felt like stepping into a dream. 'Every kind of clothing or accessory was just there on Takeshita Street,' recalls Kimura, now 34. 'It was like, 'Oh, I saw this on TV! I saw this in a magazine!' Everything was shiny and sparkling — I loved all of it.' These days, she's working a few blocks from that same street, helping turn a very specific corner of Japanese pop into an exportable art form. As the main producer for Kawaii Lab, a project by entertainment agency Asobisystem that is officially stylized in all caps and with a period at the end, Kimura is leading an idol experiment with global ambitions. Since its 2022 launch, Kawaii Lab has cooked up four high-energy groups: Fruits Zipper, Candy Tune, Sweet Steady and Cutie Street — and the initial experiment has proved successful. Every group under the Kawaii Lab umbrella has found traction on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Fruits Zipper's 2022 single, 'Watashi no Ichiban Kawaiitokoro,' drew more than 500 million views on TikTok alone. Cutie Street's 2024 'Kawaii Dake Jya Dame Desu Ka?' nearly matched that number. Earlier this year, Fruits Zipper's dreamier synth-pop track 'Kawaii Te Magic' moved over 227,000 CDs in a single week, topping the Oricon singles chart. Kawaii Labs' success has helped spark something of an idol renaissance. While the hyper-sweet subgenre of J-pop has always maintained a core fan base, Kimura's groups have broken through by pairing a social media-first strategy with a fresh perspective. Whereas many legacy idol acts were produced by men imagining teenage experiences, Kimura — a former idol herself — brings a different lens entirely. On July 20, all four Kawaii Lab groups will take the stage at Asobiexpo 2025, a celebration of Asobisystem and its trailblazing acts like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Atarashii Gakko!, who showed the potential of J-pop to reach a global audience. Kimura hopes to do the same — but with idols. 'I think there's something different about Japanese idol culture,' she says. 'Something that's going to be very new to the West.' Idol beginnings In elementary school, Kimura and her classmates fell under the spell of Morning Musume, a multimember idol group that debuted in 1997 and hit its peak around the turn of the century. 'Everyone was listening to their music. Everyone wanted to be them,' she says. 'There were a lot of elements about how they danced or dressed that you could easily imitate. That drew me in.' That fan devotion followed Kimura into her college years in Tokyo, where she spent her free time chasing down idol shows, especially those by the high-energy unit Momoiro Clover Z, a clear sonic ancestor to today's Kawaii Lab output. Kimura began modeling for fashion magazines like Zipper, and producing her own pop culture content. 'It's not like I wanted to be an idol, though. I always wanted to produce,' she says. Kimura joined Asobisystem and began working behind the scenes on a group called Musubizm in 2014 — but soon found herself pulled to center stage as the group's leader. 'Having that firsthand experience allowed me to understand how the fans were feeling, and what sort of things the members themselves were going through,' Kimura says. Musubizm disbanded in 2017, but Asobisystem was eager to launch another idol outfit, this time with Kimura as producer. She turned it down — not because she didn't want to do it, but because the structure wasn't quite there yet. 'The biggest worry I had came from when I was an idol,' she says. 'The group itself and the staff weren't really aligning. I didn't want my idols to experience that kind of environment.' By late 2021, things began aligning. The company's brass made the pitch to Kimura again and, after confirming a few details on rehearsal time and commitments, she agreed to launch what would become Kawaii Lab. 'I definitely had hesitation at first,' she says, 'but it really was my dream to become a producer.' A former idol herself, Misa Kimura says she doesn't want the young women she's working with to have a negative experience in the music business. Rather than chasing trends, Misa Kimura says she talks directly with Kawaii Lab idol members to learn what's grabbing their attention both online and off. | Johan Brooks Short-form cute In the 1990s, Morning Musume leveraged TV for fame. In the 2010s, AKB48 pioneered the 'idols you can meet' strategy along with viral campaigns. The Kawaii Lab crew has mastered the short-form art of TikTok. Fruits Zipper debuted in early 2022 and, within months, 'Watashi no Ichiban Kawaiitokoro' exploded on TikTok. The platform has since become the lifeblood for every Kawaii Lab outfit. 'My feed now is mostly just my idol groups now,' Kimura says with a laugh. The strategy goes beyond just uploading content, though. 'It starts with a big theme — like for the Fruits Zipper song 'Happy Chocolate,' it was 'Let's make Reiwa's defining Valentine's song' — and I narrow it down from there,' Kimura says. 'I think how can we get people's attention, what's going viral on TikTok?' She stresses they aren't straining to chase trends. Instead, they pay attention to what's gaining traction and learn from it. More importantly, Kimura talks directly with the members — who range from their late teens to mid-20s — to get a sense of what's capturing attention both online and off. 'I usually observe their language and behavior, and work with that too,' she says. While some songs still touch on traditional themes like romantic love, others tackle more current emotional terrain. One recent Candy Tune single, for example, is built around the highs and lows of oshikatsu — the all-in act of passionately supporting a performer, athlete or fictional character. New kawaii Fruits Zipper's 2024 single 'New Kawaii' offers something close to a thesis statement for the Kawaii Lab universe. In the pre-chorus, the group sings, 'I can't believe the majority decides ... that's not very cute at all!' It's followed by a declaration — 'I'm in the minority, and that's fine' — and a rallying cry to celebrate whatever feels kawaii to you, even if it's 'people who fall asleep at work.' Despite being central to the project's name — and featured in multiple song titles — 'kawaii' is something Kimura continues to grapple with. In interviews with Japanese media, she's described the concept as something of a curse: a label that often pressures people to conform to a narrow ideal of cuteness. With Kawaii Lab, she's aiming to flip the script. For Kimura, kawaii is personal — everyone should be free to define it themselves. 'I want people to feel a sense of self-worth and confidence,' she says. That philosophy shapes how she works with her performers. Kimura says regular communication on each member's goals is vital, and she often involves Asobisystem President Yusuke Nakagawa, too. She also encourages the members to participate in song creation from the ground up. Kimura's dual background — as both idol fan and former idol — is key. In the traditional setup, those in the pop trenches aren't usually producing the music. But Kimura and other performers-turned-producers, like =Love's Rino Sashihara, are changing that model, opening up new creative possibilities in the idol world. Back in the AKB48 era, who got to stand at the center of a single was a huge deal, sometimes decided by fan vote. In Kawaii Lab, no one is singled out. As Kimura once put it: Everyone is the protagonist. Even with all these innovations, Kimura hasn't let go of what makes idol music sparkle. It's still uptempo, bright and just a little bit bonkers. 'I think Japanese idols are about not being too perfect, and showing people the journey of how they work their way up and grow together with the fans,' she says. The foundation remains the same, but Kimura's take, focused on collaboration and inclusivity, feels tailor-made for the 2020s. 'I want to spread that kawaii culture to the world,' she says.
NHK
14-07-2025
- General
- NHK
Bereaved families publish memoirs ahead of 40th anniv. of 1985 JAL crash
Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the deadly crash of a Japan Airlines jumbo jet, bereaved families have published a collection of their memoirs. August 12 will mark 40 years since the plane crashed into the Osutaka Ridge in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo in 1985, claiming 520 lives. The collection was compiled by a liaison group of bereaved families and is their first publication in 10 years. Morishita Reiko, who lost her mother in the crash, is one of the 32 contributors to the book. In her memoir, Morishita reflects on a passage she wrote in the immediate aftermath of the accident: "If I could have one wish come true, it would be to see that summer day disappear and vanish." She wrote that that feeling has never changed since then. Ozawa Kimi lost her husband when he was 29 years old. Ozawa said their son and his wife are living a great life, showing her what it would look like if she had continued to live with her late husband. She says she sees herself and her husband reflected in the younger couple and thinks about living another year. And asked her husband to watch over her from heaven. Hirata Hiroko, whose brother died in the crash, wrote her memoir for the group for the first time. Hirata wrote that the day she reunites with her brother in heaven is approaching, given her declining health. She pledged to live each day to the fullest, with the lost lives of 520 victims, including her brother, in mind. Hirata added that, each time she sees an airplane flying in the blue sky, she couldn't help but wish them a safe trip. The head of the bereaved families' group, Miyajima Kuniko, lost her son in the accident when he was nine years old. Miyajima stressed that human lives must be protected at all costs, at any time. Miyajima said the group's publication of the memoirs will help keep alive the memories of bereaved families and all people involved in its activities.
Associated Press
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
GUNMACHAN Heads to Anime Expo 2025
The Official Mascot of Gunma Prefecture Returns to Los Angeles to Showcase Japanese Culture, Tourism and Kawaii Energy: Over 6,000 GUNMACHAN Masks are Prepared to Be Distributed - Helping to Turn Anime Expo Into a Sea of Smiling GUNMACHAN Faces LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / July 2, 2025 / Gunma Prefecture is excited to announce the return of GUNMACHAN, the beloved official mascot and anime star of Gunma, to Anime Expo 2025, North America's largest Japanese pop culture convention, held July 3-6, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.A Lively Scene From GUNMACHAN's Booth at Anime Expo 2024 This marks GUNMACHAN's third appearance at Anime Expo, following highly successful showings in 2023 and 2024. This year, fans can expect dynamic dance performances, exclusive merchandise, and a booth designed to immerse visitors in the charm and culture of Gunma Prefecture. BOOTH OVERVIEW: TWO MODES, ONE ADORABLE MISSION GUNMACHAN's booth will operate in two exciting formats: Over 6,000 GUNMACHAN masks are prepared to be distributed - helping to turn Anime Expo into a sea of smiling GUNMACHAN faces. PROMOTING GUNMA, JAPAN - ONE HUG AT A TIME GUNMACHAN is more than just cute - they're the Official PR Director of Gunma Prefecture. In addition to highlighting the colorful cast of the GUNMACHAN anime series (currently streaming on Crunchyroll), the booth will introduce visitors to Gunma's top travel destinations. Booth graphics and giveaways will showcase scenic hot springs, local delicacies, and cultural experiences unique to the region. Anime fans, families, and Japanophiles alike are invited to connect with the heart of Japan - and maybe grab a plushie or two while they're at it. WHO IS GUNMACHAN? GUNMACHAN is known across Japan for their cheerful personality and gentle spirit. Now they're ready to win hearts across America. FOLLOW GUNMACHAN ONLINE Official Website: Instagram: @gunma_gunmachan X (Fan Updates): @gunma_gunmachan X (Official Info): @gunmachan_info TikTok: @gunmachan_official Contact InformationNobuyuki Takaya PR DirectorGunma Prefecture Media Promotion Department SOURCE: Gunma Prefecture Government, Japan Related Images press release
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Blistering summer heat claims four lives in Japan, officials urge immediate precautions
TOKYO, June 20 — Japan is sweltering under an unusually intense heatwave that has left at least four people dead from heatstroke and triggered widespread government warnings, as experts say the scorching weather is unlike anything recorded this early in the year. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued repeated heat alerts since Tuesday, urging residents to stay indoors, hydrate, and check on elderly neighbours. The heat has been especially punishing for older citizens — all four recorded fatalities were elderly, including a 96-year-old woman found collapsed in a field in Gunma prefecture. In some parts of the country, temperatures soared more than 10°C above the seasonal average. Kofu, northwest of Tokyo, reported 38.2°C — far above what's typical for Japan's rainy season. Gunma hit 37.7°C, and Shizuoka registered 37.6°C. Tokyo itself reached 34.8°C on Wednesday, while Osaka climbed to 33.4°C. In all, 547 locations nationwide saw the mercury pass 30°C. 'The current heat is clearly unusual,' said Yukiko Imada, a professor with the University of Tokyo's Department of Climate System Research, to South China Morning Post. 'For the first time since records began, over 150 locations have experienced extreme heat exceeding 35 degrees by mid-June.' Imada added that the baiu front — the seasonal rain front — had disappeared unusually early, a phenomenon she attributed to the premature expansion of the Pacific high-pressure system over Japan. 'Typically, the system expands over the country in July or August,' she said. Tokyo doctors treated 169 people for heatstroke on Tuesday alone, with another 57 cases on Wednesday, according to Agence France-Presse. The JMA's three-month forecast suggests the worst may be yet to come. 'There is a high probability that temperatures this year will be above normal,' Imada warned. In 2024, Tokyo alone saw a total of 252 suspected heatstroke deaths from June to early September, according to Mainichi Shimbun. In addition to general heat advisories, the JMA has deployed its heat stress index across 48 cities. None were categorised as 'safe'. In 15 cities, authorities urged residents to hydrate and take breaks if outdoors. In the remaining 32, the message was blunt: 'heavy exercise prohibited'. The agency has also issued practical guidance: avoid unnecessary outings, use air conditioning even if concerned about energy bills, and stay in contact with vulnerable neighbours. Last summer tied Japan's hottest on record. Officials coined new terms like moshobi — ferociously hot days above 35°C — and kokushobi — cruel heat days above 40°C — as extreme temperatures became increasingly frequent. Gunma recorded temperatures above 40°C in July 2023. Since 2000, Japan has seen such highs on 59 occasions. The national record of 41.1°C was hit in both Saitama (2018) and Shizuoka (2020). Cooling shelters have been set up in some areas, while local governments continue to monitor vulnerable populations. The extreme weather is expected to persist into the weekend.
South China Morning Post
20-06-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Japan on alert against scorching temperatures after 4 die of heatstroke
At least four people have died of heatstroke and the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned people to take precautions against an early heatwave that has enveloped the nation. The sudden spike in temperatures began on Tuesday, with Kofu reporting a high of 38.2 degrees Celsius (100.7 degrees Fahrenheit), more than 10 degrees above average for the middle of June, which is typically the rainy season in Japan. Temperatures of 37.7 degrees were reported in Gunma prefecture and 37.6 degrees in Shizuoka. Tokyo recorded a high of 34.8 degrees and Osaka was at 33.4 degrees, according to the agency, with 547 locations across the country reporting temperatures past 30 degrees. The four people who died of heatstroke were all elderly and included a woman aged 96 who was found collapsed in a field in Gunma and later pronounced dead. Doctors in Tokyo treated 169 people for symptoms of heatstroke on Tuesday and a further 57 on Wednesday, Agence France-Presse reported. The above-average temperatures are expected to continue until the weekend. People walk down a street in the Yurakucho district in Tokyo, where temperatures topped 34 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Photo: AFP 'The current heat is clearly unusual,' said Yukiko Imada, a professor at the University of Tokyo's department of Climate System Research.
