- 18 Jan 2005
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"Showa 100" refers to the 100th year since the beginning of the Showa era in Japan, which started on April 29, 1926. Although the Showa era officially ended in 1989 when Emperor Hirohito passed away, the year 2025 marks what would have been the 100th year of the Showa calendar if it had continued. It's often used nostalgically to reflect on Showa-era culture and history.
This Year Marks Showa 100! How Many Can You Answer? N-STA "Showa Quiz" [N-STA Commentary]｜TBS NEWS DIG
"Showa Day" is just around the corner.
The year 2025 marks Showa 100. Let's take a nostalgic look back with vintage footage.
■ A Museum Showcasing Showa Culture Opens in Odaiba! What Is the Mysterious Sphere?
Today, on April 25th, the Odaiba Retro Museum opened in Odaiba, Tokyo. The facility aims to pass on "Showa culture" to future generations.
Upon entering, you're greeted by a "snack bar area" complete with a spinning mirror ball and the classic clinking sounds of change.
The museum also features nostalgic recreations of Showa-era townscapes, such as police boxes and public bathhouses.
Visitor (in their 50s):
"This brings back memories. These are the actual items we used back in the Showa days."
In the snack bar area, there's a mysterious sphere — which turns out to be a television set. It was manufactured in Showa 45 (1970) and cost 38,000 yen at the time. Adjusted for today's prices (based on the Bank of Japan's Corporate Goods Price Index and Consumer Price Index), that would be about 100,000 yen.
From the archives of TBS, a nostalgic clip shows a creature that once captivated the nation — the frilled lizard. Featured in the 1983 animal show Exciting Animal Land, its amusing running style made it a fan favorite.
The segment also revisits the notorious "painful commuting trains" of the Showa era, where platforms were so packed that passengers couldn't even board.
To help, staff known as "pushers" or the "rear-end push squad" would cram people into trains. There were even workers called "pullers", whose job was to drag excess passengers off the train.
■ Showa Turns 100… Was the Game Boy Released in Showa or Heisei?
Anchor Masatoshi Namba:
April 29 is "Showa Day," and in 2025, it marks the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, which began on April 29, 1926.
Let's take a look at whether some famous products and trends originated in the Showa or Heisei era.
First up, game consoles. Nintendo is scheduled to release its new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, on June 5. Reportedly, about 2.2 million people have entered the lottery for a chance to buy one.
The iconic Game Boy, one of Nintendo's early handheld consoles, was released in Heisei 1 (1989), in April. The series has sold a cumulative total of 118 million units.
Weather forecaster Masamitsu Morita:
"I remember buying one when my child was born."
Namba:
Recently, as rice prices have continued to rise, demand for ready-to-eat rice has grown. Sato's Rice, a popular brand of microwavable rice, was released in Showa 63 (1988).
Morita:
"I still remember the commercial — 'Rice in just two minutes after you walk in the door.'"
Namba:
About 30 years ago, loose socks and mini-skirts were a major fashion trend among high school girls. Shibuya was packed with what were called "kogals."
The landmark Shibuya 109 shopping center, a mecca of this fashion, opened in Showa 54 (1979) under the name "Fashion Community 109," on April 28 — now known as "Shibuya Day."
■ Do You Know This About Showa? McDonald's "○○○○○ Set"
Namba:
In the 1950s and 60s, the predecessors of biker gangs were known as the "Thunder Tribe" (Kaminari-zoku) — named for their loud, thunder-like engines. They popularized a riding style with legs stretched backward.
By the 70s and 80s, full-on biker gangs had emerged. They used stylized kanji "wordplay" for slang expressions. Here are some examples:
Anchor Maoko Hibi:
"Is it still around today? The only one that comes to mind is the Happy Meal."
Namba:
The answer is the "Thank You Set" (San-kyuu Setto).
A combo of hamburger, small fries, and a drink originally priced at 520 yen was sold for just 390 yen.
This price drop was possible thanks to the economic impact of the Plaza Accord, which saw the yen's exchange rate improve dramatically — from 250 yen to 140 yen per US dollar — resulting in lower prices.
This Year Marks Showa 100! How Many Can You Answer? N-STA "Showa Quiz" [N-STA Commentary]｜TBS NEWS DIG
The year 2025 marks Showa 100. Let's take a nostalgic look back with vintage footage.
■ A Museum Showcasing Showa Culture Opens in Odaiba! What Is the Mysterious Sphere?
Today, on April 25th, the Odaiba Retro Museum opened in Odaiba, Tokyo. The facility aims to pass on "Showa culture" to future generations.
Upon entering, you're greeted by a "snack bar area" complete with a spinning mirror ball and the classic clinking sounds of change.
The museum also features nostalgic recreations of Showa-era townscapes, such as police boxes and public bathhouses.
Visitor (in their 50s):
"This brings back memories. These are the actual items we used back in the Showa days."
In the snack bar area, there's a mysterious sphere — which turns out to be a television set. It was manufactured in Showa 45 (1970) and cost 38,000 yen at the time. Adjusted for today's prices (based on the Bank of Japan's Corporate Goods Price Index and Consumer Price Index), that would be about 100,000 yen.
From the archives of TBS, a nostalgic clip shows a creature that once captivated the nation — the frilled lizard. Featured in the 1983 animal show Exciting Animal Land, its amusing running style made it a fan favorite.
The segment also revisits the notorious "painful commuting trains" of the Showa era, where platforms were so packed that passengers couldn't even board.
To help, staff known as "pushers" or the "rear-end push squad" would cram people into trains. There were even workers called "pullers", whose job was to drag excess passengers off the train.
■ Showa Turns 100… Was the Game Boy Released in Showa or Heisei?
Anchor Masatoshi Namba:
April 29 is "Showa Day," and in 2025, it marks the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, which began on April 29, 1926.
Let's take a look at whether some famous products and trends originated in the Showa or Heisei era.
First up, game consoles. Nintendo is scheduled to release its new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, on June 5. Reportedly, about 2.2 million people have entered the lottery for a chance to buy one.
The iconic Game Boy, one of Nintendo's early handheld consoles, was released in Heisei 1 (1989), in April. The series has sold a cumulative total of 118 million units.
Weather forecaster Masamitsu Morita:
"I remember buying one when my child was born."
Namba:
Recently, as rice prices have continued to rise, demand for ready-to-eat rice has grown. Sato's Rice, a popular brand of microwavable rice, was released in Showa 63 (1988).
Morita:
"I still remember the commercial — 'Rice in just two minutes after you walk in the door.'"
Namba:
About 30 years ago, loose socks and mini-skirts were a major fashion trend among high school girls. Shibuya was packed with what were called "kogals."
The landmark Shibuya 109 shopping center, a mecca of this fashion, opened in Showa 54 (1979) under the name "Fashion Community 109," on April 28 — now known as "Shibuya Day."
■ Do You Know This About Showa? McDonald's "○○○○○ Set"
Namba:
In the 1950s and 60s, the predecessors of biker gangs were known as the "Thunder Tribe" (Kaminari-zoku) — named for their loud, thunder-like engines. They popularized a riding style with legs stretched backward.
By the 70s and 80s, full-on biker gangs had emerged. They used stylized kanji "wordplay" for slang expressions. Here are some examples:
- 愛羅武勇 → I love you
- 阿離我拓 → Arigatou (thank you)
- 仏恥義理 → Bucchigiri (reckless/going all out)
- 魔苦怒奈流怒 → Makudonarudo (McDonald's)
Anchor Maoko Hibi:
"Is it still around today? The only one that comes to mind is the Happy Meal."
Namba:
The answer is the "Thank You Set" (San-kyuu Setto).
A combo of hamburger, small fries, and a drink originally priced at 520 yen was sold for just 390 yen.
This price drop was possible thanks to the economic impact of the Plaza Accord, which saw the yen's exchange rate improve dramatically — from 250 yen to 140 yen per US dollar — resulting in lower prices.