【Serious Ehime Research Institute】 【Special Feature】Even Tomochika and Haruna Haruna are surprised by “Hajime” Ehime
Serious Ehime Research Institute Press Release: August 29, 2025 [Special Feature] Even Tomochika and Haruna Harisenbon are surprised by “Hajime” Ehime The “Hajime Ehime” video, which delves deep into topics originating in Ehime, will be released on August 29, 2025. Majimena Ehime Research Institute (6-7-4 Honmachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Representative: Shinya Akiyama, https://x.gd/6w7us
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-83996daceae36d358559c1e1f5271091-900×507.png The video for “Hajime Ehime,” a project that delves deep into topics originating in Ehime, will be released on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM! This project, themed around the “beginnings” of things related to Ehime, featured ME Lab members (comprised of university students, city and town officials, and prefectural officials) along with Tomochika and Harisenbon’s Kondo Haruna. One particularly noteworthy origin story is that of Shinji Togawa, known as the “father of the Shinkansen.” Officials from his hometowns of Saijo and Niihama in Ehime Prefecture give a presentation on his achievements and personality. Using actual documents and unique local anecdotes, the program delves into the little-known figure of this Ehime hero. The serious tone is complemented by Tomochika and Haruna’s witty quips, making this a truly “serious yet entertaining” new way to promote Ehime.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-9dc6a3260e475641a5ab2400acc5f3d5-3900×2194.jpg In the first half of the video, university ME Lab members introduce local specialties and things they’re proud of! Another highlight is seeing local young people working hard to spread the word about Ehime Prefecture, a place where young people thrive. Please watch the full video for more details. ■ Video release details
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-0a67c91528e46dd474eefb961b6f2977-3900×2194.jpg Title: All of this started in Ehime!? A series of surprising “origins”! [Hajimeehime] Filming Location: Ehime Prefectural Office Main Building Cast: Tomochika, Haruna Kondo of Harisenbon Content: Ehime Prefecture’s young information dissemination team introduces “Hajime Ehime,” information originating in Ehime Prefecture, to Tomochika and Harisenbon’s Kondo Haruna! Major Highlights: ・The father of the Shinkansen was actually from Ehime Prefecture!? Release date: Friday, August 29, 2025 20:00 ■Tomochika in a morning drama…?
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-9e05445d29a3cd6d4dad996fedc58ed9-3900×2446.png During the presentation, ME Lab members, who are also city and town officials, enthusiastically introduced Shinji Togawa, known as the “father of the Shinkansen,” as a native of Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, and a former mayor of Saijo City. Due to the magnitude of his achievements, there are calls in the local area for the story of the Togawa couple to be made into a morning drama, and it was mentioned that a petition is currently underway. Upon hearing this, Tomochika seemed enthusiastic, saying, “I want to do a morning drama with Reiji and me!” They even began discussing casting, saying, “Let’s get Haruna involved too!” Furthermore, when Tomochika said with a laugh, “If the original isn’t available, then I’ll upload it on my YouTube channel!”, the earnest ME Lab members may have had their hopes up… In recent years, Tomochika has teamed up with the popular video production team Filmest TV, known for their work recreating the atmosphere of the Showa era, to create a suspense drama that has garnered a lot of attention. The talk raised hopes that “Hajime Ehime” could lead to the creation of “morning drama videos.” ■The
Achievements of Shinji Togawa, the “Father of the Shinkansen” Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-4c2d36df1e2bff4c13d7a168675e6bb0-1941×2700.jpg Shinji Togawa (1884-1981) was a railway bureaucrat from Nakahagi-cho, Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, who also served as mayor of Saijo City. After graduating from university, he held key positions in the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Railways, and became president of the Japanese National Railways at the age of 71. He vigorously promoted the project to realize the Tokaido Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo and Osaka. Four years after construction began, the Shinkansen opened in 1964, in time for the Tokyo Olympics. He is known as the “Father of the Shinkansen” for his contribution to realizing Japan’s first ultra-high-speed railway. In honor of this achievement, a signature campaign is underway in Ehime Prefecture to have a morning drama based on the lives of Shinji Togawa and his wife, Kiku. The campaign is gaining momentum across the region, with the mayors of Niihama and Saijo serving as co-chairs. Source: Saijo City website “Shinji Togawa, the creator of the Shinkansen”
https://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/soshiki/syakaikyoiku/sogou-index.html ■What is ME Lab
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-26f82d10f3e48a765e8d72d7d1a61bfc-2592×1458.png This project team, led by young government officials and university students, plans and promotes the region’s attractions under the theme of “Ehime Prefecture, where young people thrive.” In fiscal year 2025, we will further strengthen our “planning capabilities,” which are the core of our communication, while also actively working on content creation and disseminating more practical information. ■Performer profile
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-cdd59da80c1493ae37340c53f86df015-1575×2362.jpg Tomochika After graduating from NSC, she won the Grand Prize at the NHK New Entertainer Awards and the ABC While working as a comedian, including winning the Outstanding Newcomer Award at the Comedy Newcomer Grand Prix, she has also appeared in numerous stage productions, television dramas, and films as an actress. In 2019, she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 28th Japan Film Critics Awards for her role in “Usohachiyo” (2018). She also released Tomochika Suspense Theatre on YouTube, Received the Jury Special Award at the 15th Location Japan Grand Prix. She is also active as a singer under the name “Mizutani Chieko” and a middle-aged professional part-timer under the name “Nishio Kazuo.” Starting in August, Chieko Mizutani will hold her fourth 50th anniversary performance at Meijiza, Hakataza, and Shin-Kabukiza. In 2011, she became an Iyo Tourism Ambassador, and in 2021, she became the editor-in-chief of the “Serious Ehime Research Institute.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/95759/43/95759-43-49c5bee67b026b456f3bea223dba77e2-1800×2700.jpg Harisenbon Haruna Kondo They performed as a comedy duo. They formed a comedy duo in 2003 and debuted the following year. They advanced to the finals of the M-1 Grand Prix in 2007 and 2009. Appears regularly on numerous programs, including TBS’s “Monitoring” and TV Tokyo’s “Sunday Chaplin.” December 2024: 20th anniversary live show “Nimaru” will be held at Sogetsu Hall. Related sites ○BS Nippon Television “Tomochika and Reiji’s Fantasy Train” https://www.bs4.jp/mousou-train/ [Contact for inquiries regarding this matter] Majimena Ehime Research Institute Email: info@majimena.ehime.jp Phone number: 050-3152-1821 [Contact for inquiries regarding the Majime Ehime Project as a whole] Ehime Prefecture Planning and Promotion Department, Policy Planning Bureau, Public Relations and Public Hearing Division Email address: kohokocho@pref.ehime.lg.jp Telephone number: 089-912-2241
