Japan's Long-Running Show 'Shōten' Earns Guinness World Record After 60 Years on Air

(CNA, Tokyo, 7th) Japanese television network Nippon TV's comedy show 'Shōten' is celebrating its 60th anniversary. At the beginning of its 3015th episode aired today, the network announced that the program has been certified by Guinness World Records.

According to Nippon TV, The Asahi Shimbun, and Kyodo News, 'Shōten' was certified as the 'Longest running weekly TV comedy panel show.' It was lauded as 'a program that has continuously run its "Ōgiri" segment in the same format for 60 years since 1966.'

'Shōten' is a household name and a long-running program in Japan. Its most famous core segment, 'Ōgiri,' is known for its unique style where 'good answers are rewarded with a zabuton cushion, and poor answers get their cushions confiscated.'

Although the current host, Shunpūtei Shōta, is the show's 6th host, 'Shōten' has consistently maintained the traditional 'Ōgiri' format since its inception, becoming a classic program for families to watch together on Sunday evenings in Japan.

The certification date was May 15th, which marked the program's 60th anniversary. During the episode aired today, an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records personally presented the certificate to the oldest member of the 'Shōten' cast, San'yūtei Kōraku.

Host Shunpūtei Shōta stated, 'It is precisely because this show has carried on the spirit of "Ōgiri" in the same way for 60 years that we were able to receive this Guinness World Record certification. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the senior entertainers who have passed down this show through the generations.'

Cast member San'yūtei Kōraku humorously joked about his own incredible drinking record accumulated over the years, asking, 'So, can the amount of alcohol I've drunk be registered in the Guinness World Records as well?'

His remark drew a wave of laughter from the audience. Fellow member Tatekawa Harenosuke said, 'I want to go to the grave of the first host, who is also my grandmaster, Tatekawa Danshi, to report this good news to him personally.' (Translation: Li Jing / Editor: Chen Zheng-Jian) 1150607