Would you join the army for J-pop cutie Paruru Ponkotsu?

In a country that revels in all things cute, Japan’s army turns to J-pop idol Paruru of AKB48 to help recruit soldiers.

“Working for the Self-Defence Forces presents boundless dreams — like the earth, ocean and the sea,” says Haruka Shimazaki of the all-girl group AKB48 in a new 30-second commercial distributed by the Defence Ministry. “There’s work that you can only do here,” she says with a smile. A pink heart-shaped cherry petal spins as she points to the English phrase “You AND PEACE.”