Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba appeared as a special guest at the fashion event "40th Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC) 2025 SPRING/SUMMER" held at the National Yoyogi Stadium No. 1 Gymnasium (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo) on March 1st. His surprise appearance without prior notice caused a stir in the audience, and the MC, comedy duo "EXIT," commented, "It was more bewilderment than cheers..."
This was the first time that a sitting prime minister appeared at TGC. He appeared on the opening stage with Miyakumyaku, the official mascot of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Coordinated by fashion creative director Ayumi Gunji, he wore jeans and sneakers to match TGC.
Prime Minister Ishiba introduced himself with humor, saying, "The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will be held in 43 days. I am the official mascot, Miyakumyaku. I am the Prime Minister who will be accompanying the Expo." He also took Miyakumyaku's hand and guided him in some fan service, saying, "Wave your hand over there."
"Will you go (to the Expo)?" he asked the audience, and when they responded by waving their penlights, he said with a satisfied look on his face, "This marks my job done," and left the stage together with Miyakumyaku in good spirits.
TGC is a fashion event that has been held twice a year since 2005 with the concept of "bringing Japanese girl culture to the world," and this year marks its 40th anniversary. Many popular models and actors, including Meru Nukumi Ikumi, and Elaiza Ikeda, walked the runway in trendy fashion, and there were live performances by artists such as ME:I and FRUITS ZIPPER. The MCs were EXIT and freelance announcer Reina Sumi.
