J-pop star Gen Hoshino¡¯s ¡°¡± (¡°Dancing on the Inside¡±) was arguably supposed to be a simple distraction during uncertain times. More a sketch than a song, the musician invited others to share their own adaptations to a melody that touched on life amid COVID-19. And a number did, from other prominent and to a very .
It was a charming meme that doubled as an activity in which people staying inside could engage in to kill some time, one of many celebrity-powered pastimes that have been created during the state of emergency. And then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe got involved and ruined the fun, .
Abe didn¡¯t actually add any musical flourishes to ¡°Uchide Odorou,¡± but rather contrasted the video of Hoshino playing guitar with shots of himself sitting on a couch, drinking coffee and watching TV, among other activities. It was meant to be a somewhat whimsical message of support encouraging everyone to stay home ¡ª look, Japan¡¯s prime minister has a dog, how unexpected!
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