Idols Join Forces to Energize Regional Japan

TOKYO, Oct 05 (News On Japan) - Former HKT48 member Haruka Kodama attended the press conference for the Cabinet Office’s “Local Revitalization 2.0” model project, titled “Revitalizing Communities with Idols,” held in Tokyo on October 1st.

Kodama was appointed as one of the “Public-Private Partnership Promotion Ambassadors,” alongside former AKB48 members Natsumi Hirajima and Yukari Sasaki, as well as the idol group Rain Tree, produced by Yasushi Akimoto.

The initiative will begin in three municipalities—Uda City in Nara Prefecture, Otsuki City in Yamanashi Prefecture, and Nachikatsuura Town in Wakayama Prefecture—as pilot regions leading the “Local Revitalization 2.0” model. The project aims to revitalize regional communities by collaborating with idols and entertainers to attract tourism, encourage local business participation, and strengthen community engagement.

Source: Kyodo

Spanish Tourist Injured in Bear Attack at World Heritage Shirakawa-go

A Spanish tourist was attacked by a bear while visiting Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO World Heritage village in Gifu Prefecture known for its traditional thatched-roof houses, on October 5th. The incident adds to a growing number of bear encounters reported across Japan in recent weeks.

Typhoon No. 22 (Halong) Could Rapidly Intensify and Loop Toward Japan

Typhoon No 22, named Halong, has stalled south of Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands and may soon change its course, with weather authorities urging the public to stay alert for new updates.

Takaichi Wins Leadership Race, Declares All Must Work Like Horses

Sanae Takaichi, elected as the Liberal Democratic Party’s new president on October 4th, declared on stage, “I ask everybody to work like a horse,” after defeating agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff to become the party’s first female leader.

Honey Trap Crimes Becoming More Malicious

A string of so-called “honey trap” cases is drawing attention across Japan as schemes once limited to extortion have become increasingly violent, involving physical assaults and life-threatening intimidation.

Woman Killed with Dozens of Stab Wounds in Higashi-Osaka

Police have revealed that a woman killed by her former partner in Higashi-Osaka had sustained dozens of stab wounds across her body, including injuries that pierced internal organs.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Hentai Land (artistic nudity / documentary)

Various manga artists, including the wildly popular Makoto Aida, paint the nude, supple body of Koe-chan, a famous cosplay model. (2004) (TRNGL)

5 Forgotten Kabuki Masterpieces

In this video, we take a look at five lost which have fallen from the kabuki repertoire. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Disturbing and Strange Lost Media From Japan [Vol. 3]

The Japanese internet is filled with many lost media topics unknown to the rest of the world, many are unsettling and sometimes tragic. From lost tv broadcasts to cryptic webpages, were going to explore the more unusual pieces today. (Sakura Stardust)