Smelly handshake event prompts frank discussion and suggested solutions for common problem at idol appearances.

It's not at all unusual for English-language recording stars to use their fame as a platform for advocating social change, but in Japan the stars of the music world generally stick to being pure entertainers. However, recently idol singer Kaori Matsumura seems to have taken up an important cause: cleanliness.

Earlier this month, Matsumura, a member of idol unit SKE48, revealed that among the presents she receives from fans are stuffed animals with mysterious stains, which are surely tokens of affection she could do without. This week, the Nagoya-based idol took to her Twitter account with another gross story of life in the idol industry.

On August 19, SKE48 held a handshake event, in which the idols make a public appearance to press palms with their fans. While handshake events have become a standard promotion in the idol industry, Matsumura tweeted about an unpleasant aspect of the gatherings which isn't often openly discussed by the performers themselves.