UPUPGIRLS (KARI) Level Up Their Experience Points With Military Training

| Idol | Posted by Kai Okudara on Dec.26.2014

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Maybe someone forgot to tell UPUPGIRLS (KARI) that the phrase “Idol Sengoku Jidai” (Idol Warring States Period) doesn’t mean that they actually have to go to war but, they went and did some military training anyway.

Calling their performances “challenges” (chousen), climbing Mt. Fuji to perform “Zenryoku! Pump Up!!” and performing 2-hour nonstop concerts, UPUPGIRLS (KARI) are far removed from conventional idols. On December 19th they traveled to Utsunomiya Airbase in Tochigi prefecture to train with Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Forces and perform at their year-end party.

UPUPGIRLS (KARI) may have worn military-themed outfits for their Akasaka Halloween performance a few months ago but, training at an actual military base surrounded by helicopters and tanks is a lot different than cute cosplay. In addition to belly-crawling while holding rifles, marching, and circuit training, UPUPGIRLS (KARI) also helped pound mochi (a common New Year’s tradition in Japan) before performing for 2,000 Ground Self-Defense Force troops. The 9-song set included “Ichiban Girls, “UPUP Typhoon”, “UPPER ROCK”, “Chopper☆Chopper”, and “Uppercut”, as well as the Morning Musume classic “Love Machine”. With the goal of performing at the revered Nippon Budokan in 2015, it looks like UPUPGIRLS (KARI) have passed through another checkpoint in their mission.