
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!
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”:
Catch more of Manako’s dances in her trademark sailor uniform on her official YouTube channel.
Source: Byokan Sunday
Images: YouTube/namcozou011



Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Nissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary
Here’s what you need to know before the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking voting goes live
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Nissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary
Here’s what you need to know before the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking voting goes live
We made the biggest burger possible at McDonald’s Singapore’s “Create Your Taste” kiosk!
Does adding matcha to mayonnaise change the taste as much as the look?
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Sushi Pokémon Tatsugiri inspires real-life Pokémon sushi and Japanese kitchenware line【Photos】
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
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
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
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
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)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
We made the biggest burger possible at McDonald’s Singapore’s “Create Your Taste” kiosk!
Does adding matcha to mayonnaise change the taste as much as the look?
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Sushi Pokémon Tatsugiri inspires real-life Pokémon sushi and Japanese kitchenware line【Photos】
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Assistive exoskeletons now available in Japanese electronic stores, lets you do serious lifting
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Anime and video game backgrounds now free to download for video conference calls
Sweet! Japan’s canned sour cocktails with real lemon slices inside are coming back