
Japanese TV has a tendency to be pretty ridiculous. Japanese commercials are even known to be some of the most ridiculous out there. Think Superbowl-esque non sequiturs, used to peddle the most mundane things! But you will never guess what this new commercial is promoting, even after the big reveal!
This commercial starts with the feeling that maybe you shouldn’t be watching it. The YouTube version is even labeled as a leaked video of private moments. Well-known idol Akari is the star of this particular leaked footage. It seems to be hidden camera footage of some intimate moments between Akari and her boyfriend. At first Akari doesn’t know that she is being filmed. Eventually she figures something is up and her boyfriend tries to placate her with some calming words, “it’s OK to take video, isn’t it? Just relax!” Maybe you should just watch it though. True to most hidden camera stuff, you’ll need to turn the sound up since the mic on the camera is a bit muffled.
We’ll wait for you to finish watching the video…

Pompeii! That’s right, it was all an elaborate advertisement for the upcoming release of Pompeii in Japan. Having not done particularly well in the US markets, the media machine has shifted into high gear for Pompeii’s debut in Japan. Perhaps that’s because Pompeii has a connection with another very popular movie franchise in Japan.
▼Zombie!!!!!
Not just any zombies though, Resident Evil zombies (Biohazard in Japan). The director of multiple Resident Evil movies is at the helm of this big-budget sword and sandal epic. Japanese studios hope that Paul W.S. Anderson will be enough of a draw to put some butts in some theater seats. If not name recognition, cute girls in private moments probably don’t hurt.



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Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
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
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
25 different Japanese convenience store sandwiches – What’s inside them?【Photos】
We try roasted horseshoe crab in Thailand, regret our choice yet strangely long for more
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
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Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
25 different Japanese convenience store sandwiches – What’s inside them?【Photos】
We try roasted horseshoe crab in Thailand, regret our choice yet strangely long for more
World of My Neighbor Totoro stunningly recreated in Minecraft
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Japan’s new “painful sadness” snacks are a deliciously mysterious linguistics lesson【Taste test】
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
New posable life-size detective Pikachu plushie commits crime of stealing our hearts【Photos】
McDonald’s pink pie vs. KFC pink pie: Which one does it better?
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean