GACKT Delivers Unexpected Graduation Gift to Nemuro High Students

Mar 04, 2025 | News On Japan

Mar 04, 2025 (News On Japan) - On March 1st, public high schools across Hokkaido held their graduation ceremonies, but at Nemuro High School, a special surprise awaited the students. Singer GACKT made an unexpected appearance to celebrate the graduates and offer them words of encouragement.

Graduation ceremonies were held at 222 schools across the region, with Nemuro High School sending off 156 graduates. However, as the ceremony neared its conclusion, an unexpected turn of events stunned students and attendees alike.

In the summer of 2024, Nemuro High School faced a major challenge when a mold outbreak during renovation work temporarily rendered the school unusable. To reward the students for overcoming this hardship, Principal Motohiro Matsuda reached out to GACKT, who readily accepted the invitation, leading to this memorable surprise.

After the official ceremony ended, Principal Matsuda took the stage and said, “We want to give our graduates a lasting memory.” He then introduced GACKT, whose sudden appearance sent shockwaves through the crowd of students and over 200 parents.

“I’m GACKT, a friend of Principal Matsuda. I came all the way from Tokyo to cheer you on,” he said, as gasps of disbelief quickly turned into cheers.

“I’d only ever seen him on TV—I couldn’t believe he came to a school in such a remote area.”

“He was someone I always wanted to meet, so this was incredible.”

“This will stay with me forever.”

Students expressed their excitement and appreciation, moved by the unexpected moment.

Closing his speech, GACKT left the graduates with a message: “Dreams are not something you simply see—they are something you make come true. I look forward to your future. Congratulations on your graduation.”

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

Typhoon No. 29 Brings High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Very strong Typhoon No. 29 (Koguma) was moving north near the Ogasawara Islands on the evening of October 11, bringing the risk of high waves and powerful swells along Japan's Pacific coast, particularly around the Izu Islands and coastal areas of the Kanto region, despite expectations of limited direct impacts from the storm. At 9 p.m. on October 11, the typhoon had a central atmospheric pressure of 950 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 45 meters per second near its center, maintaining its classification as a very strong typhoon. It was moving north at approximately 15 kilometers per hour.

Record-Strong El Nino Expected to Bring Warm Winter to Japan

Japan is expected to experience a warmer-than-normal winter as the El Nino phenomenon currently affecting the Pacific Ocean has reached its strongest level on record, with the Japan Meteorological Agency announcing on October 10th that unusually high sea surface temperatures are likely to persist through the coming winter months.

Otsu Festival Parades Elaborate Floats Following UNESCO Recognition

The Otsu Festival, one of Shiga Prefecture's three major traditional festivals, was held in Otsu City on October 11th, featuring a procession of 13 elaborately decorated floats carrying traditional mechanical puppets through the streets, following the festival's addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December last year.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Physical Fitness Declines Among Japanese Women in Their 30s and 40s

Physical fitness among Japanese women in their 30s and 40s has been declining, according to the Sports Agency's fiscal 2025 Physical Fitness and Athletic Ability Survey, with experts pointing to the disproportionate burden of housework and childcare as a major factor limiting opportunities for exercise.

Child NISA to Begin in 2027 With Withdrawals Allowed From Age 12

Japan will launch a new tax-free investment program for children in January 2027, allowing parents to invest up to 600,000 yen a year on behalf of children aged 17 or younger while permitting withdrawals from age 12 for expenses such as education and living costs.

Japan’s Job Market Shifts With Economy

Japan’s highly competitive graduate recruitment market remains favorable for students, but signs of change are emerging as the average number of job offers held by candidates declines and companies experiment with new ways to secure talent.

Cyberattack on Osaka University Shuts Down 500 Servers

Osaka Metropolitan University has suspended classes across all faculties after a suspected ransomware attack shut down about 500 servers and disabled key campus systems, while officials investigate whether personal information relating to at least 130,000 students, graduates and employees was leaked.

How Recognizing Signs of a Dysfunctional Family Can Improve Relationships

Recognizing the patterns and issues within a dysfunctional family can be a transformative step toward improving personal relationships.

Japan Holds Sleep Contest With 2.22 Million Yen Prize

A first-of-its-kind sleep competition was held in Tokyo on October 5, with contestants competing for a 2.22 million yen top prize by trying to achieve the deepest, fastest and most stable sleep during a 90-minute session.

Japan's Technical College Graduates Are in High Demand

Graduates of Japan's colleges of technology, commonly known as Kosen, are attracting growing attention from employers, with the ratio of job openings to applicants exceeding 35 as companies increasingly seek graduates who can contribute immediately to the workforce, including major banks and securities firms.

Japan Faces Shortage of 20,000 Railway Workers

A major new railway training center equipped with full-scale tracks, crossings and signals has opened in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, as Japan's railway industry faces a growing shortage of skilled workers that could exceed 20,000 by fiscal 2028.

< 2 3 4 5 >