News On Japan

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

TOKYO, Jan 09 (News On Japan) - 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.

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

The admission fee for the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, was revised on March 1st for the first time in 11 years, introducing a dual pricing system that significantly raises costs for visitors from outside the city.

An avalanche struck an advanced-level course at Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, which spans Niigata and Nagano prefectures, on February 28th, leaving four people injured, including two family members.

An eight-year-old Australian girl died after a snowmobile overturned in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, at around 11 a.m. on February 28th, with authorities investigating the cause of the accident.

The assembly of a massive shield machine for tunnel construction at the Kanagawa Station site of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen has been completed, with the site opened to the media as excavation prepares to move forward toward Nagoya.

Although February is typically the height of the hibernation season, bears have already been sighted across Japan, raising concerns of another wave of deadly encounters.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

AKB48 set out to uncover examples of digital transformation in everyday settings, visiting a golf course in Ibaraki Prefecture and a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Nihonbashi, where cutting-edge technology is reshaping both leisure and tradition.

This week, we study the art of the popular onnagata Bandō Tamasaburō V through some of his most successful roles. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Strap in for more adventures this March! See the emotional finale of BEASTARS, and witness an epic journey begin in STEEL BALL RUN JoJo's Bizarre Adventure! (Netflix Anime)

In today's video, we talk about the recent changes at Xbox. (Lady Decade)

Shinya, drummer for the popular rock band LUNA SEA, died on February 17 at the age of 56, after battling illness for several years and diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in 2020 and a brain tumor last year.

Yuki Nishimiya, 45, a member of the music duo Def Tech who was arrested and indicted for possessing dried cannabis, has been released on bail from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Mita Police Station.

Today, we have a look at the performances of the Kabuki-za's Saruwaka Festival. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Japan’s oldest surviving manga-like artwork, the National Treasure Choju-giga, is preserved under strict management by being divided between Tokyo and Kyoto in an effort to safeguard the cultural asset from disasters and long-term deterioration.