News Discussion

PM Takaichi's Pen and Tote Go Viral as Orders Surge

Orders are pouring in for the tote bag often used by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. It is reportedly made by a long-established Japanese leather goods manufacturer.

On October 24, the company announced on its website, "Photos of the 104th Prime Minister carrying one of our bags have been featured on social media and news sites." It also apologized for shipping delays, explaining that "due to a surge in orders, deliveries are now expected by the end of January."

The bag is believed to be a black Delight Tote by Hamano Leather Crafts, a prestigious Tokyo-based brand with more than 140 years of history and a purveyor to the Imperial Household. After photos of Prime Minister Takaichi leaving her official residence for the first time on October 21 began circulating online, social media users quickly identified the handbag as a Hamano product.

According to the company's website, the tote is designed for professional women and is big enough to hold A4-size documents. It retails for ¥136,400 JPY (tax included, approximately $900). Hamano describes the bag's design as "a beautiful balance of elegance and energy." Made entirely of leather, it weighs about 700 grams and is available in around ten colors.

Hamano's workshop is located in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture, next to Karuizawa. On October 23, Miyota Mayor Hiroshi Kozono promoted the local product on X, posting, "This bag is made right here in Miyota, next to Karuizawa. You can even purchase it through the hometown tax program.“

It's not only Prime Minister Takaichi's handbag that has drawn attention. At her first press conference on the night of October 21 after taking office, she was seen taking notes with a pink ballpoint pen.

Each time she wrote, the pen caught viewers' eyes. Social media users quickly identified the brand and model, and inspired by Japan's first female prime minister, many began saying, "I want one too.“

Posts on social media soon suggested that the pen was a Jetstream by Mitsubishi Pencil. "I think I use the same pen," one user wrote. "It's apparently sold out everywhere!" said another. "Let's all get matching ones," others added, as demand for the pen spread rapidly.

As its sudden popularity grew, a spokesperson for Mitsubishi Pencil spoke with The Sankei Shimbun on October 28. "From what we can see in the footage, it appears that Prime Minister Takaichi is using our Jetstream in light pink," the spokesperson said.

"We're deeply honored that she chose one of our pens for such an important occasion," they added. "Everyone in our company is thrilled. Since the press conference, we've received an incredible response."

The Jetstream model in question is a multifunctional pen that combines four ink colors — black, red, blue, and green — with a mechanical pencil.

"Its smooth and effortless writing feel is what makes it special," the spokesperson explained. "With its balanced design and practicality, it's ideal for many business situations, including formal settings like this one.“

1. 1. manufacturer　製造業者、メーカー
   This famous bicycle manufacturer makes thousands of bikes each year.
2. 2. identify　特定する、識別する
   I used a smartphone app to identify the birds that I saw while hiking.
3. 3. purchase　購入する
   Lily and Chie hope to purchase a house someday.
4. 4. demand　需要、要望
   The demand for green tea around the world has gone up a lot in the last ten years.
5. 5. rapidly　急速に、すばやく
   The city that she lives in has been growing rapidly.

1. 1. Why have Hamano totes and Mitsubishi pens suddenly become so popular?
2. 2. How did people react on social media? What did they say?
3. 3. How did Miyota Mayor Hiroshi Kozono and the spokesperson for Mitsubishi Pencil react? What did they say?
4. 4. Why do you think people want to buy the same pen or tote used by the prime minister?
5. 5. Have you ever bought something that you saw on social media? If so what was it, and why did you want to buy it? If not, why not?

高市早苗首相が愛用しているバッグを巡って、販売元とされる老舗バッグメーカーに注文が殺到している。メーカーは10月24日、ホームページ（HP）で「SNS、ニュースサイトなどで第104代首相が、当社バッグをお持ちの写真が取り上げられております」とし「注文が集中しており、1月末の出荷予定となっております」と販売が追い付かない状況を陳謝した。

愛用のバッグとされるのが140年以上続く皇室御用達のブランド、濱野皮革工藝（東京都）の「ディライト　トートバッグ」。高市首相が21日に初出邸した際の様子がSNSで拡散され、手にしたバッグが同メーカーの製品と特定されたという。

HPによれば、バッグはキャリア女性向け、A4サイズの書類が収納できる。価格は13万6400円（税込み）。

デザインについては「エレガントさとアクティブさを美しいバランスでまとめ上げた」と紹介。オールレザーで重さは700グラム。カラーは約10種類を用意し、高市首相のバッグはブラック。

工房は長野県御代田町に構えており、同町の小園拓志町長は23日、X（旧ツイッター）で「軽井沢の隣町御代田町で生産しているバッグです。ふるさと納税での購入をお勧めします！！」とアピールした。

高市首相が就任後初めて臨んだ21日夜の記者会見で、メディアに首相がメモを取る様子が映し出されるたびに写っていた「ピンク色のボールペン」がSNS上で製品名が「特定」され、話題になっている。女性初の首相というスキルにあやかってか、「私もほしい」と望む声が増えている。

SNSではすぐに、「三菱鉛筆社製の『ジェットストリーム』ではないか」との投稿が相次いだ。「たぶん同じペンを私も使っている」「売り切れ続出らしいよ」「みんなでお揃いにしよう」と、同じ製品を買い求めようとする投稿が目立つ。

突然、火が付いた同製品の人気ぶりに、製造元の三菱鉛筆の広報担当者は28日、産経新聞の取材に応じた。

担当者は「映像で確認させていただく限りでは弊社『ジェットストリーム』の『ライトピンク』をお使いいただいているように見受けられます」と回答した。

そのうえで、高市首相が自社製品を愛用していることについて「記者会見という大切な場面でご使用いただくペンとして、弊社の製品をお選びいただいたことを大変光栄に思います。弊社内でも大変喜んでおります。記者会見以降、大変な反響をいただいています」と語った。

同製品は1本で黒・赤・青・緑の4色のボールペンとシャープペンの機能を兼ね備えた「多機能ペン」だ。担当者は「クセになる、なめらかな書き味が特徴です。機能性とバランスの取れたデザインで、このようなフォーマルな場面も含め、多くのビジネスシーンで活躍する1本としてお勧めさせていただいております」と自信を見せた。