JA Zennoh Niigata
Keita Inagaki and Takako Inagaki co-star in a TV commercial for the first time! A new commercial, “The Happiness of Delicious Food”, which conveys the love of a married couple, is released, where the natural warm smile of “a man who doesn’t smile” wraps around the dining table. New commercial will start airing from Niigata Prefecture on Thursday, September 12, 2024
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JA/JA Zen-Noh Niigata has launched a new TV commercial titled “Rice is Delicious Happiness” featuring Keita Inagaki, a rugby player from Niigata Prefecture, and Takako Inagaki, a model, in conjunction with the sale of new Niigata rice produced in 2020. will be broadcast from Thursday, September 12, 2024.
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Niigata Rice has been delivering the simple daily happiness of delicious food to everyone under the message, “Happiness that comes with delicious food, from Niigata Rice.” In order to make Niigata rice produced in 2020 available to as many people as possible, we will continue to use Keita Inagaki, a rugby player from Niigata Prefecture who has been appearing in TV commercials as an image character since 2020. This year, which is the fifth year, Keita Inagaki’s wife and model Takako Inagaki will also appear. This was the couple’s first time co-starring in a TV commercial. The new TV commercial “Happiness with Delicious Rice” begins with a scene in which Keita Inagaki appears in an apron, grinding Niigata rice and preparing breakfast. The commercial depicts a dining table scene with Takako Inagaki surrounding freshly cooked Niigata rice, and the two’s natural and warm interactions and moments filled with smiles are impressive. In the interview, the couple shared anecdotes unique to each other, such as their “LOVE points” and their wedding, which became a hot topic this year.
The broadcast start date of the new commercial will be released in Niigata Prefecture on Thursday, September 12, 2024. A making-of video will also be released on the same day on JA Zen-Noh Niigata’s official YouTube channel. Please enjoy the friendly appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Inagaki.
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Title: “Happiness with delicious food”
Cast: Keita Inagaki, Takako Inagaki
Broadcast start: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Broadcast area: Niigata
*Other areas (Kanto, Kansai, Chubu, Shizuoka) are scheduled to be broadcast from October.
New CM:
[Video 4: Making:
[Video 5: Interview:
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[Table 10: This is the couple’s first time co-starring in a TV commercial. The two of them were always smiling from start to finish on the set, and the two in front of the camera seemed to be mirroring a happy family, expressing a warm atmosphere. When Keita Inagaki is with Takako Inagaki, he completely changes his image from being known as a “man who doesn’t smile” and shows a soft smile many times. All the filming staff were naturally filled with smiles, and the whole scene was enveloped in a calm atmosphere. When eating Niigata rice, the moment he stuffed his mouth with it, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s delicious!” and showed a happy smile.
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Keita Inagaki
Keita Inagaki
Panasonic Wild Nights
Born in Niigata Prefecture.
After graduating from Niigata Technical High School in 2009, he entered Kanto Gakuin University.
In 2012, he became the captain of the rugby club.
He joined the Panasonic Wild Knights in 2013 and made his first official appearance in the same year.
He has been selected to represent Japan in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 Rugby World Cups.
Takako Inagaki
Kiko Inagaki
After appearing as an exclusive model in CALVIN KLEIN’s show in 2017, she has appeared in shows such as PRADA, BALMAIN, GIVENCHEY, etc. It has also been selected for world campaigns such as COACH, BALMAIN, and ZARA. She has also served as a beauty ambassador for CHANEL since 2023, and has been attracting attention both domestically and internationally. In January 2022, she married rugby player Keita Inagaki. The couple are active on the world stage with their respective careers.
[Table 12: “I was able to show my normal, natural appearance.”
Q. This will be your fifth year appearing in a commercial for Niigata Rice, but this is the first time a husband and wife have co-starred in a TV commercial. Please let us know what you think after taking a photo shoot with your husband and wife.
A. (Keita Inagaki)
After five years, I feel like I’ve started to find a sense of normalcy. After getting married and spending a lot of time with my wife, I think I was able to show the natural side of my daily life. “There is no end to the points I love!”
Q. “Niigata rice LOVE” is a keyword in the commercial, but please tell us what you both “LOVE” about each other.
A. (Takako Inagaki)
My husband puts a lot of thought into surprises for me. My husband tries to surprise me by buying me my favorite fruits and sweets after practice, but he can’t hide it at all. There are some parts where it doesn’t really come as a surprise, like when it’s flying and it flickers a little bit. I always find that kind of appearance very endearing.
(Keita Inagaki)
There’s no end to it, but what I think is the most wonderful thing is when he scolds me. I play rugby, but there aren’t many people who scold me. Of course, there are very few people who would say that much about their personal lives. I feel truly blessed to have my wife as the person closest to me who tells me straight up, “This is absolutely not okay.”
“I’m nervous about whether I have lunch…”
Q. At the end of the commercial, a bento box with the two of them on it was shown. Could you tell us any stories related to the “beloved wife bento”?
A. (Keita Inagaki)
I often go to rural areas for games, and my wife makes me a small bento box with chicken breast cooked at a low temperature. I’m really looking forward to taking it with me, and when I go on a road trip, I get a little nervous and wonder if I have it. It’s such a memorable experience and something I always look forward to.
(Takako Inagaki) I don’t get lunch from my husband, but sometimes when I’m late at work, my husband makes rice and waits for me, so I cook it at that time. He is very good at cooking the rice he cooks. We like the rice to be soft, and Niigata’s rice is cooked in a way that brings out the stickiness of the rice, so we always think it’s delicious. (Keita Inagaki)
I also like things to be soft, so I’m very conscious of things like the amount of water. It’s a bit of a detail, but I’m surprisingly concerned about how much time I should soak it in water, which I feel is a little more than the set amount of water.
“My best memory is the smiles of the people who attended the wedding.” Q. Please tell us about a memorable “smile” moment in your daily life these days.
A. (Takako Inagaki)
After all, the wedding took place this year. It was a day filled with lots of smiles, and seeing those smiles naturally made me smile from the bottom of my heart. It was a moment when I felt extremely happy, and the smiles on everyone’s faces that day will remain in my mind forever.
(Keita Inagaki)
Originally, we planned a wedding because we wanted to once again express our gratitude to everyone, but as a result, we received a lot of gratitude and thoughts, and we were truly blessed with the support of so many people. It was also the day I realized that there is. The most memorable thing was seeing so many people look like they were really having fun, and we both kept talking about how happy we were. “Respecting each other’s opinions is the secret to deepening your relationship.” Q. If you have any secrets for a happy marriage, please tell us. A. (Takako Inagaki)
We believe that it is natural for people to have different values when interacting with each other. Of course, the more things you agree with, the better, but when there is a conflict or a slight difference of opinion, it is important to respect each other’s thoughts and listen to the other person’s opinion while supporting each other. I’ve always thought that it’s important to sit close and talk to each other in order to deepen relationships.
(Keita Inagaki) It’s just as my wife said. If one of them holds back and makes concessions, one of them will be left with a lump. Therefore, the important thing is to communicate what each other is thinking and where to reach the goal. It’s a matter of whether we can both agree. My wife and I will be living together for many decades, so I think that balance is extremely important.
“Niigata rice is by far the most sticky and sweet”
Q.What exactly do you like about Niigata rice?
A. (Keita Inagaki)
There are many things I like about Niigata rice, but the most delicious and wonderful thing about Niigata rice is that it can be the star of the show. When you take a bite, you’ll notice that the stickiness and sweetness are by far the difference.
(Takako Inagaki)
All I can say is that sweetness. I really love the sweetness of rice, and like my husband said, I think I can go for many bowls with just the rice without any side dishes. I was very happy to be able to eat Niigata rice while filming the commercial.
“Enjoying the taste of rice is the Inagaki family style.”
Q.Do you have any “special dishes” or “favorite recipes” that use Niigata rice at home?
A. (Keita Inagaki)
I choose by far the best ingredients, and I think Kashimaya’s salmon and salmon roe on Niigata rice is the best rice. I enthusiastically talked to my wife about it, and she was hooked.
(Takako Inagaki)
We sometimes make hand rolls at home, but we don’t make them with vinegared rice. Taking advantage of the natural sweetness of Niigata rice, it can be used to wrap fish or a little meat. Our style of hand-rolling is to enjoy the taste of the rice while rolling it by hand. So, I would like everyone to do the same.
[Table 13: ■“Niigata Rice” new commercial “Happiness where rice is delicious” 15 seconds Starring/Narration: Keita Inagaki, Takako Inagaki
[Table 14: ■Why “Niigata rice” is delicious
●Fertile earth
The rice paddies in Niigata Prefecture are made of fertile clay soil carried from upstream by large rivers such as the Shinano River and Agano River. This soil is rich in nutrients necessary for rice cultivation, so there is no need to use large amounts of chemical fertilizers.
●Appropriate natural conditions
A major factor that affects the taste of rice is the weather conditions during the ripening period (the period during which rice ripens after the ears appear). In Niigata Prefecture, the average temperature during the ripening period is 24.5°C, which is considered the optimum temperature for ripening, and the large temperature difference between day and night during this time makes Niigata rice delicious.
– Abundant snowmelt water
The mountainous areas of Niigata Prefecture are areas with heavy snowfall, and the melted snow flows into the rivers, containing a lot of nutrients from the humus created by fallen leaves in the mountain forests. Snowmelt water is used in paddy fields as clean agricultural water needed in spring.
●Cultivation techniques that focus on deliciousness
In Niigata Prefecture, we are working together with agricultural organizations to conduct a campaign to encourage producers to develop techniques for cultivating “delicious Koshihikari.” Specifically, producers emphasize “quality over quantity” and practice such measures as reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and careful water management to improve flavor even if yields are reduced.
■About promotion of “Niigata rice” produced in 2020
●Niigata rice x Keita Inagaki Takako Inagaki special site
We are releasing this new commercial, making of, and interview footage. ・Special site: https://www.zennoh.or.jp/nt/niigatamai/
●Niigata rice delicious happiness campaign
You can easily apply by uploading the receipt for purchasing Koshihikari rice produced in Niigata Prefecture from the campaign site. A total of 1,000 people will be randomly selected from among those who participate in the campaign to win wonderful prizes. Don’t miss your chance to win exciting prizes while enjoying delicious Koshihikari rice from Niigata Prefecture.
・Campaign site
https://www.zennoh.or.jp/nt/oishii-shiawasecp2024/
・Application period: Mid-September 2024 to the end of December 2024 ・List of winning prizes
Prize A: Niigata Wagyu beef shoulder loin 300g for sukiyaki…300 people B Prize: Niigata Kashimaya Salmon Chazuke & Salmon Roe Pickled in Soy Sauce Medium Bottle Set…300 people
Prize C: Niigata rice original design QUO card worth 2,000 yen…400 people