Tokyo International News Agency

On November 9, Japan's public broadcaster NHK unveiled the hosting lineup for the upcoming 77th edition of its annual New Year's Eve music extravaganza, the Kohaku Uta Gassen. The prestigious four-person team features acclaimed actors Masato Sakai, Mana Ashida, and Kazunari Ninomiya, alongside NHK anchor Naoko Suzuki, igniting widespread buzz across social media. This year marks the first time that both Sakai and Ashida will take the helm as Kohaku hosts. Sakai, a celebrated actor renowned for leading multiple NHK Taiga dramas and critically acclaimed productions, expressed his confidence in the ensemble, stating, "Kazunari Ninomiya is a dependable and deeply respected younger brother figure to me, and while this will be my first time working alongside Mana Ashida, I have no doubt it will go smoothly." Meanwhile, Ashida, who has captured the nation's heart since her days as a child star, has previously participated in the broadcast as both a performing singer and ...

Episode 13 of the hit drama series VIVANT has aired, sparking a massive online reaction thanks to Executive Director Nagano—played by Fumiyo Kohinata—officially joining the mission with an overwhelming presence. Immediately after the broadcast, "Executive Director Nagano" trended on social media, with viewers pouring in praise and deep analytical theories. Audience members were mesmerized by the rapid tactical transitions and high-level foresight demonstrated when Nagano collaborated with protagonist Yosuke Nogi (played by Masato Sakai). Social media flooded with enthusiastic comments such as "That sequence was breathtaking," "His sheer professional competence is off the charts," and "Nogi and Nagano working together are truly unstoppable." The episode also resolved a lingering mystery from the previous broadcast regarding a tough-looking tattooed man. He was revealed to be Nagano's local operative, serving as a trusted partner to compensate...

Following the broadcast of the latest episode of the hit Japanese drama VIVANT , "Executive Director Nagano" skyrocketed to the number one trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), sending shockwaves through viewers across Japan. Played by veteran actor Fumiyo Kohinata, Executive Director Nagano of Marubishi Corporation had previously been portrayed as a suspicious yet seemingly harmless "philandering middle-aged man." However, the latest episode delivered a jaw-dropping plot twist that revealed his true hidden identity. A Shocking Encounter in Thailand: "Who Knew He Was in Beppan?" In the episode, protagonist Nogi (played by Masato Sakai) travels to Thailand to meet a local informant, only to be confronted by none other than Executive Director Nagano, who was supposed to be away on a routine business trip. As the two characters lock eyes in complete disbelief, viewers flooded social media with comments like "I totally didn't see that coming!" ...

Ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of the TBS Sunday Theater drama VIVANT , a "Special Live Pre-Broadcast Program" has been scheduled for Sunday, July 26, 2026. The special will air for one hour from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, immediately leading into the first episode. With a star-studded cast set to appear live and dive deep into the show's appeal, fans on social media are already buzzing with excitement. A Star-Studded Cast of Leads Gathers Live! The program will feature live appearances from lead actor Masato Sakai, alongside major cast members Hiroshi Abe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tori Matsuzaka, Ryo Ryusei, Takaya Sakoda, and Tomosaka Drum. The special is designed to be a condensed recap of "what has happened so far" and a preview of "what's to come," making it easy to understand even for newcomers to the series. It will also feature deep-dive theories surrounding the show's mysteries and the exclusive release of never-before-seen top-secret foo...