Wataru Takada Song Featured in Akagi Nyugyo’s 2016 Commercial

A talented student who is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses at Bronx High School of Science in New York, Wataru Takada also volunteers his time as a math tutor with the organization Top Honors. He was intrigued to find out that he shares his name with the late folk singer Wataru Takada. The singer's most famous songs include “Riding the Bicycle” and “Let’s Join the Self-Defense Force.” Japanese frozen dessert company Akagi Nyugyo Co. featured one of the singer’s songs in a recent commercial for its popular Gari-Gari Kun popsicles. 

Gari Gari-Kun initially hit store shelves in 1981 and became a favorite among Japanese consumers due to its assortment of distinctive flavors, such as potato stew, spaghetti, and the best-selling corn potage. Akagi Nyugyo increased the price of the ice treat for the first time in 25 years due to the increased cost of labor and ingredients. The commercial, which served as an apology to the company’s consumers, featured Takada’s folk song “Neage,” which roughly translates to “Price Increase.” The lyrics of “Neage” express a desire to avoid price increases, and the text accompanying the video includes an apology from the company. 

The price for the Gari Gari-Kun treat increased from 60 to 70 yen, which is the equivalent of a 9 cent increase in US dollars.