The Nippon Television variety show "A New World After X Seconds" (Tuesdays at 10 PM) aired on March 31st. The program investigated what happened to the lavish prizes from the popular variety show "Sekiguchi Hiroshi's Tokyo Friend Park" (TBS), which aired regularly from 1992 to 2011.
"A New World in X Seconds" is a variety show that investigates little questions and mysteries about the world. On this particular episode, they tracked down whether any of the show's cast members are still driving a Mitsubishi Pajero, which was the main prize in the darts game segment of the popular variety show "Friend Park."
In the program, comedian Duncan and sports Caster Kimiko Jinnai, both of whom have won a Pajero on the show "Friend Park," appeared in pre-recorded segments. Duncan appeared in a Pajero, but revealed that his current car is his third one and was not won through darts. Jinnai also mentioned that she had just bought a car at the time, so she gave the Pajero she won to her cousin, who has since sold it.
Further investigation revealed that a celebrity was still driving the Pajero he won as a prize. That person was Shūwa Katsumata. When asked why he was still driving it 18 years after winning it in 2008, he replied, "To be honest, I have absolutely no interest in cars. As long as it has four wheels and moves, that's all that matters."
He further revealed, "Actually, this is my second car. It was given to me by Friend Park," recalling that he had also won a Land Rover in 2005. Katsumata laughed and said, "That's why I've never bought a car. Because they give them to me," revealing that he has been driving cars he won on Friend Park for 21 years.
