Comedian Daiki Kanenochi of the duo EXIT jokingly accused voice actor Natsuki Hanae of social posturing during a press event on Tuesday [1].
The interaction highlights the cultural concept of "mounting" — a Japanese term for asserting superiority — used here as comedic relief during a corporate promotion.
The exchange occurred during a media presentation for the au Denki 10th anniversary project [1]. While discussing the costs of living, Hanae mentioned his experiences with utility bills from a previous period of his life. Hanae said that when he lived alone, he was very concerned about electricity costs and wondered if they would exceed 10,000 yen [1].
Kanenochi, who is single, responded to the comment by suggesting that Hanae was subtly bragging about no longer living alone [1]. "You just subtly took a mount, didn't you? By saying 'when I lived alone'" Kanenochi said [1].
Other attendees noted the tension in the joke. Rintaro said that Kanenochi might be becoming a bit hypersensitive [1]. The lighthearted dispute served as a focal point for the event, which promoted a new web commercial for the utility service that has been available to the public since Aug. 21 [1].
The event brought together various entertainers to mark a decade of the au Denki service in Japan [1]. The discussion regarding the 10,000 yen threshold [1] reflected common consumer anxieties regarding energy prices in the region.
“"You just subtly took a mount, didn't you?"”
The interaction utilizes the popular Japanese social slang 'mounting' to create relatability between celebrities and the public. By framing a discussion about utility bills through the lens of relationship status and social hierarchy, the promotion connects a corporate anniversary to everyday domestic struggles and interpersonal dynamics.
