News On Japan

"SHOGUN" Actor Hiroyuki Sanada Raises Battle Cry at Zojoji Temple

TOKYO, Feb 22 (News On Japan) - International actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who starred in and produced Hollywood blockbuster "SHOGUN," held a hit-prayer event on Tuesday at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, with the movie's main cast and production team in attendance.

"SHOGUN" is a period drama spectacle that depicts the turbulent world of the Warring States period, centered around Tokugawa Ieyasu and the English navigator William Adams (Miura Anjin) who served him. Hiroyuki Sanada plays the role of Kanto daimyo Yoshi Toraenaga, modeled after Tokugawa Ieyasu, which is why the event was held at Zojoji Temple, a place associated with Ieyasu.

Hiroyuki Sanada, in anticipation of the great success of "SHOGUN," which will start streaming on Disney+STAR from February 27th, proudly raised the "battle cry of departure" and expressed his joy with an emotional expression, saying, "It is overwhelming to be able to unveil this at Zojoji Temple."

In his closing remarks, he said, "Even though our countries and eye colors may differ, if we all move forward together towards a single goal, miracles will surely happen. I would be grateful if you could also feel the message that we can build a better future together," conveying his deep passion for "SHOGUN," his first leading role in a Hollywood production, and sending a message of concern for a world where turmoil is never-ending.

Source: ANN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Japan already classifies days with highs of 30C or above as manatsubi (midsummer days) and those reaching 35C or above as moshobi (extremely hot days). It has now introduced a new term for days when temperatures climb to 40C or higher.

Police investigating the death of an 11-year-old boy whose body was found in a forest in Kyoto Prefecture believe his father moved the remains between several locations over a number of days in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.

A large and powerful Typhoon No. 4, internationally named Sinlaku, was located near the Mariana Islands and moving north-northeast as of the latest update. The storm is expected to gradually shift its course eastward and pass southeast of the Ogasawara Islands around April 18, before making its closest approach around April 19.

Japan will release around 50 million stockpiled medical gloves from next month as concerns grow over shortages of medical supplies linked to tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route connecting Toyama and Nagano fully reopened on April 15th, marking the start of the spring tourism season along one of Japan’s most celebrated mountain routes.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

A man accused of violating copyright law by publishing so-called spoiler articles summarizing films on the internet was handed a suspended prison sentence after the Tokyo District Court ruled that the posts infringed copyright.

A theater directly connected to Tokyo Station is set to open in May inside a large-scale redevelopment complex scheduled to fully launch in autumn, marking a new step in efforts to strengthen the area’s cultural and artistic presence.

A cosplay event featuring participants dressed as characters from anime and games was held in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 12th, drawing large crowds as around 200 participants paraded through the city’s shopping district.

A farewell performance titled "Farewell April Grand Kabuki" is being staged at Osaka Shochikuza in Chuo Ward, Osaka, which is set to close in May due to the aging of the building, marking the beginning of a two-month run of kabuki performances that have drawn audiences with comedies and dances featuring a colorful cast of characters, continuing through April 26th.

Today we have a look at the kabuki performances taking this April at the Shochiku-za theatre in Osaka! (Kabuki In-Depth)

A talk event was held at a bookstore in New York on March 9th to commemorate the publication of the English translation "SAKURA" of the bestselling novel "Sakura" by Naoki Prize-winning author Kanae Nishi, who appeared alongside American translator Allison Powell to discuss the book’s central theme of family love.

The winner of the 2026 Japan Booksellers Award, in which bookstore staff across the country vote for the book they most want to sell, was announced on April 9th, with Ryo Asai, 36, receiving the top prize for the novel "In the Megachurch," published by Nikkei Publishing.

Athletes from across Japan boasting finely trained physiques are set to gather in Okinawa for a major fitness competition, as more than 300 participants prepare to compete in the "Muscle Gate" body make contest, marking the event’s first-ever staging in the prefecture.