Saga Prefecture lies in the northwest corner of Japan’s island of Kyushu. This past week, in an unusual attempt at self-promotion, the Saga Prefectural Office uploaded a video of hundreds of workers from its various divisions happily dancing to the new AKB48 single, Koi Suru Fortune Cookie (Love Fortune Cookie). With more than 480,000 views on YouTube so far, the up-beat video certainly beats a boring old poster campaign!
Every Sunday night, Fuji Television airs a program called AKB Eizou (Video) Center. For one of the show’s primary segments, they invite viewers to submit their own videos in accordance with a given theme for a chance at being aired on TV. Select submissions are not only given a two-minute snippet of televised fame, the full clip is also added to AKB48’s official YouTube channel!
Saga Prefecture submitted their dancing music video both as a fun side-project and to give the people of Japan a happy introduction to all of the different departments managed by their government. Luckily for them, the charming dance clip made the cut, and now appears on AKB48’s official channel.
Approximately 60 prefectural departments and their associated staff members are featured in the three-and-a-half-minute video. Bright-eyed workers both young and old wear their biggest smiles as they dance in sync to the up-beat pop song. Even the prefecture’s mascot characters gathered together for the recording, and the prefectural governor in particular displays a great deal of excitement for the song and dance.
▼ In case it wasn’t obvious, the governor is the man in the middle.
So, if you’re looking for a nice little pick-me-up as we struggle towards the end of the working week, Saga Prefecture’s rendition of Koi Suru Fortune Cookie will certainly raise your spirits, while also giving you a well-rounded sampling of the many kinds of people who keep Japan running smoothly. Enjoy!
▼ Watch the video here or on AKB48’s official YouTube channel!
▼ In case you can’t watch the video right away, here’s a few stills from the merry music video.
Source: Net Lab (Japanese)
Japanese students get people dancing to AKB48 all over Singapore【Video】
GMO’s pretty employees rival AKB48 with big smiles and short skirts
Subpar AKB48 performance in Thailand earns scalding remarks from netizens 【Video】
AKB48 and South Korean idol groups perform hits at music awards, turns out to be a disaster
Tokyo’s AKB48 idol-themed cafe announces sudden, permanent closure
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Ramen restaurant in top Tokyo tourist neighborhood skips price gouging, but how does it taste?
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Public restrooms in Osaka to get in-stall video screens with ads
Japanese bonsai trees made from paper stay beautiful without water or pruning
Ghibli Museum building becomes a cuddly cushion
“Online streamer” tops dream job poll for young Japanese kids, older kids not so interested
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Hello Kitty and AKB48 collaborate for the ultimate fan merchandise from Thank You Mart
Idols ahoy! AKB48 to hold concerts at Universal Studios Japan every day starting in July
AKB48’s new idol outfits are so stylish everyone’s talking about the company that makes them
Japanese salarymen and OLs make company-wide music video of AKB48’s “Halloween Night” 【Video】
AKB48 fan shows his love the only way he knows how: By buying $300,000 worth of CDs
AKB48 and Nogizaka46 songs to be played as subway train departure melodies in Tokyo
AKB48 signs removed from exterior of AKB48 Theater building in Akihabara
Dance contest underway to co-star in AKB48 member’s video, Mr. Sato throws hat into ring
AKB48 to hold exclusive show for coffee contest winners, Mr. Sato immediately buys over 300 cans
Top 10 YouTube videos in Japan 2013
Idol singer mega-group AKB48 cancels annual General Election following string of scandals
AKB48, Japan’s biggest idol singer group, apologizes for selling “Date Tickets”