News On Japan

Haruna Kojima Thrilled to Witness Bruno Mars' Live Rendition of AKB48's Classic

Haruna Kojima Thrilled to Witness Bruno Mars' Live Rendition of AKB48's Classic

Former AKB48 Member Haruna Kojima happy to See Bruno Mars Perform 'Heavy Rotation' Live in Japan

TOKYO - Model and former AKB48 member Haruna Kojima updated her Instagram stories on the 14th, revealing that she attended the "Best of Bruno Mars Live at Tokyo Dome" concert, which kicked off on the 11th by the globally renowned artist Bruno Mars.

Bruno Mars' Japan tour started on January 11th and includes performances on the 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, and 21st, spanning a total of seven days. During his concert, Mars surprised fans by incorporating AKB48's hit song "Heavy Rotation" into his own song "Marry You." This unexpected performance sparked a buzz on social media, with reactions from both current AKB48 members and alumni.

Haruna Kojima, who attended the concert, shared a smiling photo of herself in front of Tokyo Dome, captioned, "It was the best! I got to hear Heavy Rotation!" Kojima also mentioned attending Mars' December concert in Las Vegas, saying, "It was so exciting, and it's always the best fun no matter how many times I see it." She expressed her excitement, adding, "I thought nothing could top that, but seeing Heavy Rotation live in Tokyo was thrilling."

Bruno Mars' incorporation of AKB48's "Heavy Rotation" into his Tokyo concert not only delighted fans but also drew reactions from both former and current AKB48 members, highlighting the cultural exchange between international and Japanese pop music. Haruna Kojima's attendance and shared experiences on social media exemplify the wide-reaching influence of artists like Bruno Mars and the enduring legacy of AKB48's music within the pop culture landscape.

Source: MDPR

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

Strong earthquakes have continued to shake parts of Japan in recent weeks, with 11 temblors measuring lower 5 or above on the Japanese seismic intensity scale recorded across the country since April 2026.

A Kintetsu Railway train derailed inside Kyoto Station on the morning of June 29, forcing partial suspensions on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for the rest of the day and causing long delays that hit commuters, students and tourists.

A section of stone wall at Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original Edo-period castles and a National Treasure whose main keep remains intact more than 400 years after its construction, collapsed after heavy rain caused by Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, Hikone city officials said.

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Akihiro Miwa, the singer and actor whose career spanned chanson, theater, film, television and voice acting, died of old age on June 20 at the age of 91, her management office said.

Hiroji Miyamoto, one of Japan’s leading rock singers, marked his 60th birthday with an appearance on News23, reflecting on a life spent in music and performing the program’s ending theme, "Close Your Eyes," in the studio.

When exploring an online dating platform for the first time, it helps to know which features actually shape the experience — and which ones are just window dressing.

Aesthetic calm and peace in japan.

Japan's parliament on June 17 enacted a revised copyright law that creates a new right allowing singers, musicians, and record companies to receive royalties when their recorded music is used as background music in commercial facilities such as cafes in Japan and overseas.

A fashion event produced by Kansai Collection was held on June 13 at COMTEC PORTBASE in Minato Ward, Nagoya, where 300 participants were chosen as the inaugural Nagoya Select Models through audience voting.

Tamayo Nakamura, the actress and television personality whose career spanned more than seven decades and bridged the worlds of traditional Japanese theater, film, television drama and variety entertainment, died of pneumonia on June 9th. She was 86.

The YOSAKOI Soran Festival, one of Sapporo's signature early-summer events, opened on June 10, bringing together 275 dance teams for five days of performances across the city.