Student of PR Faculty of Media Studies Film and Performing Arts Course produces video about Togane-shi using hula hoop as subject matter

Associate Professor Katsunori Sato (far left), his supervisor, and production members (from right) Yu Miura, Daiji Endo, and Ako Furumaya

A scene from the PR video "Togane Hoop Story". Judge of the Togane Chamber of Commerce and Industry's mascot "Yassa-kun" (center), and a performer playing the role of a child who enjoys a hoop battle.

Chiba A video promoting Togane City, Togane Prefecture, has been produced by the Katsunori Sato Seminar at Faculty of Media Studies Department of Media And Communications Film and Performing Arts Course. The video is part of the "Linking the City and JIU Project" that the Sato Seminar is working on with the Togane Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Togane City. The unique work was completed using hula hoops, which have historical ties to Togane City, as its subject.

The video production started in 2019, and the seminar students scouted locations in the city and searched for subjects, saying, "Let's make content unique to Togane City that can be differentiated from other local governments." Togane City is the main campus of our university, but since our seminar students commute to the Tokyo Kioicho Campus, we strolled around the city with fresh eyes. It is a stone monument. According to research, when hula hoops became popular nationwide in 1958 and rumors spread that they were ``bad for the body,'' Togane Municipal Togane Elementary School (at that time) reacted quickly and issued a ``hula hooping ban'' to children. I understand. The news spread all over the country through the media, and as a result of the succession of elementary schools following the trend, the popularity of hula hoops plummeted. After that, it turned out that the rumor that it would cause an intestinal torsion was groundless. It was a stone monument.

Although the theme was decided, the production was postponed repeatedly due to the influence of the corona disaster. The three people who played a central role were Daiji Endo (4th year), Yu Miura (4th year), and Ako Furumaya (graduated in March 2023). The video titled "Togane Hoop Story" begins with a reenactment scene of children who were banned from playing hula hoops in 1958. Over time, the city and the Chamber of Commerce devised a competition called "Hoop Battle." It is a humorous depiction of how everyone enjoys it. The child role was played by a project member.

Mr. Furumaya said, "I was able to take over the thoughts of my seniors who were supposed to be involved in the production, and I was able to complete it without any problems." I think that the video has been made more impressive by doing this. I would be happy if you could take an interest in Togane City by watching this video."

PR videos are available on the website of Togane City Hall, the university's official YouTube channel, etc.