The Japanese drama "VIVANT," starring Masato Sakai, reignited its massive popularity with a new season launched in late July. Packed with an all-star cast and thrilling spy action, the show has truly taken Japan by storm.
However, a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Tottori Prefectural Government's Public Relations Division has gone viral. A photo of one of their staff members bears an uncanny resemblance to Hiroshi Abe, who plays Nogizaki Mamoru in "VIVANT." This has brought significant attention to Tottori Prefecture's "VIVANT Role-Play" (VIVANT-gokko) initiative, sparking a huge buzz across Japanese social media.
The man who netizens spotted on social media for his striking resemblance to Metropolitan Police Department Public Security Bureau detective "Nogizaki Mamoru," played by actor Hiroshi Abe, is none other than Ken Matsuda (41), a section chief in the Tottori Prefectural Government's Public Relations Division.
To promote recruitment for prefectural staff, the official Tottori Prefecture Public Relations X account posted a photo of Matsuda in a black suit, strikingly reminiscent of Nogizaki Mamoru. The caption read: "'Give me a job that suits me!' 'Let me become an executive in Tottori!' If you've got that kind of drive, then applications for the Tottori Prefectural staff exam are now open!"
The post immediately blew up, drawing enthusiastic responses from netizens. Comments poured in like: "I seriously thought it was the real guy!", "This is exactly why we're on X!", and "If someone told me he was conducting a secret investigation at the Tottori Prefectural Government, I'd totally believe them."
As a section chief in the Tottori Prefectural Government's Public Relations Division, Ken Matsuda is primarily responsible for disseminating information about the prefecture's administrative activities and key policies to residents both within and outside Tottori. He revealed that people have been telling him he resembles Hiroshi Abe for about 20 years. Eventually, he even started appearing in promotional videos for the prefectural government, gradually becoming a well-known "Hiroshi Abe look-alike" within the office.
Since then, whenever Tottori Prefecture or its municipalities host "VIVANT"-related events, Matsuda makes an appearance as "the prefectural staffer who looks just like Mr. Nogizaki."
For instance, Matsuda, who usually doesn't sport a beard, starts growing one a week before events or shoots to better match Nogizaki's look. It's not just outsiders who see the resemblance; even Matsuda's own children do. Whenever Hiroshi Abe appears in a drama or commercial, his kids point at the TV and exclaim, "That's Daddy!"
Suddenly thrust into the national spotlight and becoming an overnight sensation, Matsuda commented, "I'm genuinely surprised by such a massive reaction. Friends who usually never contact me have suddenly been messaging me. As long as I can help promote Tottori Prefecture through this, I'll keep doing my best!"
In fact, the Tottori Prefectural Government's Public Relations Division initiated the "VIVANT Role-Play" to promote the local area, especially since the second season of the drama filmed scenes for the fictional Balka Republic (バル カ共和国) at the Tottori Sand Dunes.
Now, with "VIVANT" once again making waves, this Tottori prefectural staffer, who uncannily resembles Hiroshi Abe, has unexpectedly transformed from a local government employee into "the real Nogizaki" that all of Japan is talking about. He's even sparked local discussions, making this a truly successful promotional campaign!
via： PR TIMES X@【公式】鳥取県広報