Vice Foreign Minister Shintaro Ito and Aki Hoshino

Aki Hoshino appointed ‘Overseas Safety Ambassador’

Sunday 14th December, 05:21 AM JST

TOKYO —

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has signed up “talent” Aki Hoshino for the post of “Overseas Safety Ambassador” in its upcoming campaign, which aims to raise awareness of safety and passport issues when traveling abroad. Hoshino, who wore a white blouse with strawberries on it, was in high spirits for the event and said: “If I can help keep people safe overseas, that’s great. I’ll do my best.”

Vice Foreign Minister Shintaro Ito encouraged her when he said: “Hoshino is very popular and she’s been overseas many times. I hope she excels in the role.”

The campaign will run from Dec 15 to Feb 28.

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Latest 15 of 32 Total Comments Show All

techall at 05:15 PM JST - 14th December

And by what criteria do we judge her success as overseas safety ambassador? Fewer Japanese psudo businessmen getting offed on Manila?
maryhinge at 06:02 PM JST - 14th December

WTF? Last time she was in LA she complained her boobs got smaller after getting ill. Maybe MOFA paid her for some new ones!
30061015 at 09:06 PM JST - 14th December

"I hope she excels in the role"

Let me explain. This isn't a job, but roll playing. Pretend. In the roll, she is transformed into a squealing fashionable animated character who is so cute, everyone else plays nice too. Maybe she can have a soft pink side-kick with big eyes & floppy-ears to reminder her... when she forgets (which is often) how dangerous gaikoku really is.
Ninjazilla at 11:02 PM JST - 14th December

This is great.thanks Japantoday!
Sarge at 11:30 PM JST - 14th December

"how dangerous gaikoku really is"

Heh heh
antizombie at 12:38 AM JST - 15th December

This country is more and more comical!!!
antizombie at 12:40 AM JST - 15th December

Possibly it is better they campaign that Japanese should not go abroad to avoid the dangers.
soldave at 09:01 AM JST - 15th December

Headline should read "Hoshino Aki up for yet another photoshoot"

Also, where is the obvious question about her lovelife? Come on JT - your journalistic standards are slipping!
soldave at 09:02 AM JST - 15th December

I take it the message is going to be "Don't go abroad. They have AIDS, crime, drugs and foreigners. And it makes your breasts get smaller. Stay in Japan instead"?
Altria at 09:52 AM JST - 15th December

Is she qualified for the posting because she got stuff stolen from her car in LA?
Stonefish at 10:00 AM JST - 15th December

I doubt she'll be able to keep abreast of the issues surrounding travel overseas. Passport issues? "Oy! Stop looking at my breasts and go and get your passport!"
Badsey at 03:36 AM JST - 16th December

Traveling abroad can be perilous, thankfully the Ministry has promoted Aki into this much needed position. Middle-East shoe throwers -we are ready and prepared.
tokyotom at 09:21 AM JST - 16th December

her 15 inches of fame has certainly lasted
Kameleon at 05:52 PM JST - 17th December

Whatever.

This country wants to be taken seriously? Stop using brainless idols as 'ambassadors'.
WilliB at 10:19 PM JST - 20th December

Safety ambassador? Like having two built-in bumper cushions?