‘SMAP meal set’ at Osaka Prefectural government. Photo from Sankei Sports.

SMAP meal set suspended at Osaka prefectural government office

Thursday 24th April, 11:32 AM JST

OSAKA —

The Osaka prefectural government on Wednesday said that it has suspended the so-called “SMAP meal set” at its cafeteria for its employees. The meal set was released two weeks ago because Osaka Gov Toru Hashimoto liked it when he appeared on SMAP’s popular Fuji TV program. The popular idol group created the meal for him.

A spokesperson for the prefectural government said, “We tried to use the meal set to promote Osaka, but unfortunately, it became a promotion for a specific talent and TV program, which is not our purpose.”

Asked about the suspension of the meal set, a Fuji spokesperson said, “We didn’t request the Osaka prefectural government to suspend it. It is their decision.”

12 Comments

Noripinhead at 02:20 PM JST - 24th April

Well, that was a pretty quick SMAP decision. The sets looks pretty good, though. Udon, beef dipping sauce and pickles. Maybe they should just change the name of the set to Mayor Hashimoto's Tsukemen Set.
curlygene at 03:56 PM JST - 24th April

JT,

We are all deeply grateful for the translations of Japanese news stories that you provide, and it's good to see that even prefectual governments can come to their senses and overrule their leaders.

However, could you please, please get your people to use English words like "celebrity", "star" "actor", etc. rather than the Japanese "talent". Or would you at least consider proofreading the stories before putting them up? In fact, I'd be happy to oblige; For a small fee, of course!
newsboy at 03:37 AM JST - 25th April

Wow what an interesting waste of time and resources and to think Tax money was spent somwhere in all of this.
outofmydepth at 05:41 AM JST - 25th April

well, what did they think would happen when they named a dish SMAP? it is only common sense (the lack of in it this country astounds me) that it would bring to mind SMAP and not Osaka.
Richard_III at 01:32 PM JST - 25th April

rather than the Japanese "talent".

But surely there is no other way to describe SMAP, or most of the other talented people who regularly appear on tv here.
blvtzpk at 04:13 PM JST - 25th April

"SMAP crackle bopped"
blvtzpk at 04:17 PM JST - 25th April

"Gov Toru Hashimoto's Superdelicious YumYum EatEmUp on TV Meal Set" didn't have quite the same ring to it, I guess.
eresay at 11:59 PM JST - 25th April

Richard III, after 10 years of living in Japan, I've yet to see any evidence of SMAP having any talent.
telecasterplayer at 09:37 AM JST - 26th April

The SMAP Prefectural Employee Lunch may be discontinued, but the ARASHI Matsu-Jun Sidewalk-Crack Repair Campaign remains in full swing.

I don't want to know what they do for Razor Ramon-Hard Gay.
Ninjazilla at 03:20 PM JST - 26th April

My students went and tried it out and said it tasted bad and was overpriced for what it cost.No wonder gov. Hashomoto is crying
Ninjazilla at 03:23 PM JST - 26th April

Whenever I hear the word Talento I think of George Orwells Novel 1984; "WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH." Lack of any talent except making an ass of oneself is TALENT..
DenshaDeGO at 10:44 PM JST - 26th April

I'm still trying to figure out what the hell the story means ...