News On Japan

YOSHIKI to Compose Official Theme Song for Hello Kitty's 50th Anniversary

TOKYO - Renowned musician of rock band X JAPAN has been chosen to compose the official global theme song for the popular Sanrio character Hello Kitty, in celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2024.

YOSHIKI and Hello Kitty have a history of collaborations, including the "yoshikitty" merchandise line. Hello Kitty has also made appearances on YOSHIKI's own program "YOSHIKI CHANNEL" and performed at YOSHIKI's annual dinner shows, fostering a close relationship over the years. In this milestone 50th anniversary year for Hello Kitty, YOSHIKI will contribute to the festivities with an official global theme song dedicated to his dear friend.

YOSHIKI expressed his honor in being part of such a significant anniversary: "Congratulations to Kitty-chan on your 50th anniversary. I am truly honored to be offered the opportunity to compose the official global theme song for such a wonderful anniversary year. Through our friendship, I've come to understand the many reasons why Kitty-chan is loved by people all over the world. She always brings smiles to everyone, and she has an inner strength that I admire. I intend to compose a song that will let more people know about the many wonderful aspects of Kitty-chan. Many people are currently facing sad and difficult times. With this song, I aim to lift the spirits of everyone who listens to it. Please look forward to it."

The 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, which will be celebrated until December 31, 2024, is being branded as the "50th Anniversary Year," with the theme "Friend the Future. Let's become friends with the future." Various initiatives are planned to commemorate this landmark year.

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Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) began causing significant disruption to Japan's Obon holiday travel on August 11, with ANA canceling 58 flights serving Haneda and Narita airports, JAL canceling four flights, and JR East suspending some services on the Joban Line as the storm approached eastern Japan.

Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) is expected to make landfall near Ibaraki Prefecture between around 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on August 11, bringing rapidly strengthening winds, high waves and heavy rain to parts of Kanto and southern Tohoku, with unsettled weather potentially continuing even after the storm moves inland.

Japan's H3 Rocket No. 9 successfully placed the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into its planned orbit after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:23 a.m. on August 11, marking the country's second consecutive successful H3 launch.

The Tokaido Shinkansen operated its first overnight service ahead of the Obon holiday period, offering travelers a 15,000 yen trip from the Tokyo area to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka while allowing them to save on hotel costs and arrive earlier than the first regular morning trains.

Typhoon No. 15 is expected to approach and likely make landfall somewhere in the Kanto region on August 11, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that could disrupt conventional rail services, expressways and flights while also affecting a wider area extending into Tohoku.

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