The Yosakoi Festival will open on August 9th. This time we will introduce the corporate team "Asahi Foods". This year (2024), the focus is on "that". It is July 29th, less than two weeks until the main event. In a corner of the parking lot where many logistics trucks are parked, the sound of a rattle can be heard. This is "Asahi Foods", which won the gold prize last year (2023). This year (2024), it will be their 39th participation. The record of winning the grand prize three consecutive years since 1998 has not yet been broken. In addition to the fact that all 144 dancers are women, this year... Dancer (first time participating this year) "I saw Asahi Foods' YouTube and really wanted to dance this year, so I decided to participate" Asahi Foods Yosakoi Team Leader Kosaburo Takeuchi "Last year, many young people watched us on YouTube and other things, so they learned quickly. We got ready at a fairly early stage, so I think this year will be quite good." The average age is 23 years old, and there are more teenagers than usual. Dancer (2nd year high school student) - First time participating "I saw Asahi Foods' performance last year and I was fascinated by the whole group and the smiles on everyone's faces." Dancer (2nd year high school student) - First time participating "I decided to join Asahi Foods because I thought the gorgeous costumes last year were beautiful with red and white." Asahi Foods' theme this year is "Fujiiro." They aim to be number one like Japan's tallest mountain, Mt. Fuji, and express the flexibility of wisteria flowers, which are said to be a symbol of femininity. Choreographer Kyona: "Stretch your wrists more and make sure you ring them well." Practice began four times a week in June. They are practicing in preparation for the performance. The highlight is... Announcer Tamura Yusuke "The fan veil is an essential part of Asahi Foods' dance. This year, pay attention to the part where the fan veil appears." There are four employees and dancers in the team. One of them is Hamada Shino, who has been with the company for four years. Employee and dancer Hamada Shino: "Because I juggle my regular work with this Yosakoi work, summer is busier than usual, but when I come to practice after work and feel exhausted, the other dancers support me and motivate me to do my best." Hamada has been involved in running the team since last year, and this year she was also involved in the production of costumes and songs. Employee and dancer Hamada Shino: "This year, I've taken on the responsibility of the company and have been involved in the production of the team, and I hope that other employees will see Asahi Foods winning the Yosakoi Grand Prize." Dancer (4th year this year) Q: What are you proud of in your team? "It's a homey atmosphere! We'll all do our best in the actual performance." Choreographer Kyona: "This year, we've uploaded the dance to SNS in advance so that everyone (the audience) can learn it, and the first and second choruses are relatively easy to dance to, so I hope everyone will dance together while ringing the Naruko." Asahi Foods Yosakoi Team Leader Takeuchi Kozaburo: "I hope that the people of Kochi will be pleased with the smiles of all the dancers." "The performance was completed quickly, and the dance is pretty sharp, so I'd like to work hard to aim for the grand prize." "Last spurt, let's all make this the best summer ever~ Ooooo!!" We aim to dye the town in a supple and graceful "Fujiiro" color. *This year, Sansan TV will be broadcasting live from the Harimayabashi Competition Hall on the two main days of the Yosakoi Festival (10th and 11th). The guests are Shimazaki Wakako and Miyama Hiroshi. Please check this out too.