It has been revealed that TBS news program "N-Sta" (Monday to Friday, 3:49 pm) will be joined by Mai Izumi (40) from the same station in the spring, pairing her with Takahiro Inoue. "I'm taking on this challenge at the age of 40, but I will do my best to fulfill my role as I am now, a person who is confused and worried every day," she said with enthusiasm.
Izumi joined the company in 2006 and is a year ahead of Inoue. He has been active in a wide range of fields since his youth, including news programs, information programs, sports, and variety shows, including "Tsukushi Tetsuya NEWS23," "King's Brunch," "N-Sta (Sunday)," the Olympics, the World Athletics Championships, and "World Mysteries Revealed!"
He will graduate from the Waseda University Graduate School of Business Administration in April 2023 and obtain an MBA (Master of Business Administration). He has worked in both the Announcement Center and the Business Investment Strategy Department, and has been involved in the creation of joint projects between TBS and other companies.
From Monday to Thursday, the previous combination of "Inoue and Horan" will be changed to "Inoue and Izumi", and on Fridays, Hibi Manoko will continue to serve as the main caster.
◇Comment from Mai Izumi
When I heard about "N-Sta," my eyes were opened wide. I am very happy to be taking over from Ms. Horan and joining a program that has been loved by so many people.
Although I have taken on this challenge in my 40th year of life, I will do my best to fulfill my role as I am now, a person who is confused and worried every day. I will work hard together with presenter Inoue and the staff to ensure that everyone who has supported "N-Sta" until now will continue to choose this program. I look forward to your continued support from April!
◇Comment from Takahiro Inoue
Izumi-san is a senior who is one year older than me. This is the first time we've worked together on a show in 18 years, since our first year at the company, when we planned to eat the world's smelliest food. I look forward to seeing what kind of show will develop with this senior, who is overwhelmingly reassuring and reliable, but also a little bit clumsy. We will explore new formats.
◇Comment from Producer Yasuo Watanabe
I think Izumi is an announcer who has the stability and reassurance that comes from his wealth of experience, as well as the intelligence and friendliness necessary for a news program. As a year ahead of Inoue, I also look forward to his sharp comments. Inheriting the "N-Sta-ness" that Horan Chiaki built up, we aim to create a news program that can gain "overwhelming trust" with this new "great duo"!
