Lovely commercial jingle

[January 2025] A roundup of commercials that caught my attention

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Even after entering January 2025, a wave of buzzworthy commercials featuring famous actors and actresses has continued to appear.

From FamilyMart’s ad showcasing Kotaro Yoshida and Rikako Yagi with warm expressions, to JCB Platinum’s commercial highlighting Tori Matsuzaka’s smart presence, this month’s diverse lineup of visuals is capturing our hearts.

In this article, we’ll dive into the appeal of these latest commercials in detail, along with information about the cast and the featured songs.

Latest Commercials [January 2025] (1–10)

AC Japan “Because It’s For You… (AC Japan & NHK Joint Campaign)” / “Starting Line (Support Campaign)”

AC Japan CM 2024 NHK Joint Campaign “Because it’s for you…”

AC Japan CM 2024 Support Campaign “Starting Line” (Kidsdoor)

These are two commercials themed around children’s efforts and their futures.

In “Because It’s For You,” a boy who is made to study all the time by his mother—who insists it’s “for your own good”—steps up to pursue the baseball he truly wanted to play.

The other spot, “Starting Line,” introduces support initiatives for children who, due to their families’ financial circumstances, cannot stand at the same starting line as their peers.

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AC Japan “Hang in there, sparrows across the nation. (Support Campaign)” VersionCharacter voice: Nanoka Hara

AC Japan CM 2024 Support Campaign: “Hang in there, all the sparrows across Japan.” (Ashinaga Scholarship Society)

This is a commercial introducing the activities of the Ashinaga Foundation, which supports children who have lost their parents, featuring Suzume, the protagonist of the film Suzume.

Suzume lost her mother when she was four years old, and the narration conveys the message that the foundation supports bereaved children.

The ad is eye-catching, making extensive use of scenes from the film.

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AC Japan “Children’s Cafeterias Are Your Cafeterias (Support Campaign)” VersionYutaka Matsushige

AC Japan, National Children's Cafeteria Support Center Musubie, TV commercial: “Children’s Cafeteria Is Your Cafeteria” (15 seconds)

This commercial features Yutaka Matsushige, known from “The Solitary Gourmet,” visiting a children’s cafeteria.

It emphasizes that it’s not just a place to get a meal, but a space that serves as a home base for everyone, including children.

It’s a video that provides an entry point to understanding what a children’s cafeteria is.

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Latest TV commercials [January 2025] (11–20)

AC Japan ‘Connected (Support Campaign)’ VersionNarration: Yosuke Eguchi

AC Japan CM 2024 Support Campaign 'Connected' (Japan Heart)

This introduces the activities of Japan Heart, a volunteer organization that provides medical care in developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia.

It shows Japanese doctors working overseas and local children.

Incidentally, the narration in this commercial is done by Yosuke Eguchi.

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AC Japan “Nakayama, check the pulse!” (Japan Heart Foundation)Nakayama Kinnikun

AC Japan CM 2024 Support Campaign: 'Nakayama, check your pulse!' (Japan Heart Foundation)

In this commercial, the comedian Nakayama Kinni-kun appears and delivers a memorable line, playing on his own name: “I’m Nakayama Kenmyaku-n!” The ad encourages people to check their pulse every day.

By doing daily pulse checks, it promotes the early detection of atrial fibrillation, which can lead to heart failure and stroke.

With a touch of humor—such as using his impressive muscles to explain what atrial fibrillation is—it conveys an important message.

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AC Japan “Yuchami’s Three Days (National Campaign)” VersionYuna Furukawa

AC Japan TV Commercial 2024 National Campaign: 'Yuchami’s Three Days'

At first glance, it looks like a segment checking what’s inside Yuuchami, aka Yuna Furukawa’s bag, but this commercial is actually introducing an emergency go-bag for disasters.

It features items useful in emergencies, such as a three-day supply of water, non-perishable foods, work gloves, and a helmet.

Since Japan is a country prone to earthquakes, it really reminds us that we need to be properly prepared before a major disaster strikes.

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AC Japan: “The Eye Frailty Song (Support Campaign)”

AC Japan CM 2024 Support Campaign “The Eye Frailty Song” (Japan Ophthalmologists Association)

This commercial raises awareness about eye frailty, a condition in which visual function declines.

Set to a parody of the children’s song “The Frog Chorus,” it explains what eye frailty is.

If you notice any problems with your eyes, visit an ophthalmologist promptly.

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