#Japan #AKIHABARA #Akihabara UDX #Virtual Announcer #Midori Sawamura

The Return of Virtual Announcer Midori Sawamura

After a brief hiatus, the beloved virtual announcer Midori Sawamura is back and making waves at the AKIHABARA UDX BOARD. Starting from November 8, 2025, LIVE BOARD, a digital content provider based in Shibuya, Tokyo, will start streaming Midori Sawamura's video news segments. This innovative approach aligns perfectly with Akihabara's rich subculture, drawing interest from both tourists and business professionals alike.

The AKIHABARA UDX BOARD, prominently located on the side of the UDX building near Akihabara Station, is set to engage a diverse audience. Those who are fans of anime, idols, and other facets of subculture will find this initiative particularly appealing. Furthermore, local business personnel will have access to valuable and entertaining news coverage, enhancing their workday with the latest updates from across Japan.

What to Expect from the News Segments

The video news features news content presented by Midori Sawamura, who delivers reports on national happenings through a program format. Utilizing the Avatar Agent Service by Sony Music Solutions, these segments will transform textual news into engaging audio-visual presentations. The service boasts an advanced text-to-speech engine that smoothly integrates voice synthesis and computer-generated character animations, making for an immersive viewer experience.

Midori Sawamura, the 25-year-old virtual host, is designed by renowned creators, with her character voice provided by Minako Kotobuki and her design by Shingo Adachi. She hails from Tsukuba City in Ibaraki Prefecture and stands at 158 cm tall. Her return is met with much anticipation, as she expresses excitement in re-engaging with her audience:

"It's been a while, everyone! I've missed connecting with you all during my time away and am thrilled to deliver news once again. As I cover the ever-changing landscape of news, my goal is to provide you with valuable insights that enhance your daily lives. Please keep an eye on the AKIHABARA UDX BOARD when you visit Akihabara!"

Multilingual News Coverage

In addition to Midori's news concierge, LIVE BOARD will launch the Kyodo News multilingual initiative on November 14, 2025. This service will stream photo-centric news reports in five languages—Japanese, English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese—catering to Akihabara's diversas languages and cultures. With around 44.5% of foreign tourists visiting Akihabara seeking subculture experiences, this multilingual news service will provide essential insights, fortifying the region's attractiveness and utility to visitors.

Broadcast Details

• - Start Date for Midori Sawamura's National News: November 8, 2025
• - Start Date for Kyodo News Multilingual Coverage: November 14, 2025
• - Broadcast Location: AKIHABARA UDX BOARD
• - Broadcast Hours: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. (Midori Sawamura’s specific segment runs from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.)
• - Note that the segments will be showcased at random intervals, with the possibility of adjustments based on operational conditions.

About LIVE BOARD

Founded as a data-driven operator of a digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising network, LIVE BOARD pioneers impression-based advertising in the OOH realm. They adeptly gauge target audience engagement through a sophisticated evaluation system that adapts to fluctuating human movements, especially in challenging scenarios like the pandemic. By leveraging the power of big data analytics across a diverse range of digital advertising platforms nationwide, they ensure that their advertisements reach the right demographics in a meaningful way.

This innovation opens a new chapter not only for news dissemination but also sets a precedent for how virtual technologies can enhance public engagement in busy urban environments like Akihabara.