
This dance and and its accompanying catchy little jingle, nicknamed the “brainwashing song,” are currently stuck in people’s heads around Japan.
Nagano Prefecture’s JA Bank has teamed up with an unlikely ally to promote their pension plans: a peppy dancing schoolgirl, who stars in a highly addictive new TV commercial that’s bound to get stuck in your head for hours.
Give the commercial a watch below, but don’t say we didn’t warn you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fBmrYzQUU4
Dubbed the “nenkin dance” (nenkin being the Japanese word for “pension”) the short clip’s lyrics are incredibly simple but catchy:
Pension ♪ pension ♪
Enroll in a pension plan at JA Bank
Consultations are free ♪
Pension ♪ pension ♪
We also have plenty of ATMs you can use♪”
The accompanying dance is performed by the sailor uniform-clad Manako, formerly part of the Danceroid dancing team and a member of the Q’ulle idol group since late 2015. Manako just celebrated her 20th birthday earlier this month, but she still looks pretty darn cute in a schoolgirl outfit, wouldn’t you say?
▼ Surprisingly, not everyone seems to be impressed by Manako’s dancing, as the faces of these two JA Bank employees suggest they’re thinking, “Just let me go back to work already!”
If that dance sequence looked a bit familiar to you, it’s probably because Manako drew inspiration from some of her other favorite dance routines, such as when she danced to Yo-kai Watch‘s first ending theme “Yo-kai Taiso Dai-Ichi”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTLCT0cYhY8
Catch more of Manako’s dances in her trademark sailor uniform on her official YouTube channel.
Source: Byokan Sunday
Images: YouTube/namcozou011



Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
The deceiving cat: Sumo wrestler wins match using “cute” technique, but some are not happy【Video】
Top Secret Cookie Recipe Finally Comes to Light
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
The deceiving cat: Sumo wrestler wins match using “cute” technique, but some are not happy【Video】
Top Secret Cookie Recipe Finally Comes to Light
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Losing your Japanese host club virginity: a guide for the ladies
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japanese association loses faith in users following non-return of 1,100 free loan umbrellas
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Losing your Japanese host club virginity: a guide for the ladies
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japanese association loses faith in users following non-return of 1,100 free loan umbrellas
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Fighting mild hunger with a Japanese soda that turns into jelly in the stomach【Taste test】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Make Studio Ghibli anime food with official recipe book from Japan
Make Studio Ghibli anime food with new Kiki’s Delivery Service recipe book from Japan
Leave a Reply