The lineup for Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi, Monday-Friday 1pm), which will air from March 23rd to 27th, has been announced. The guests will be talent Anna Umemiya on the 23rd, former Takarazuka top star Mire Aika on the 24th, singer Aina the End on the 25th, rakugo performer and talent Yonesuke Katsura (aka "Yonesuke") on the 26th, and Shigeaki Kato of the popular group "NEWS" on the 27th.
Last May, Ms. Umemiya spoke about her battle with breast cancer on a TV program. Shortly after the recording, she remarried a man she met just 10 days later. She said that the moment she met him, she had a hunch, "I'm going to marry this person!" Apparently, marital arguments are the key to a happy marriage.
In 2008, Aika was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma during a stage performance, and she withdrew from the show to focus on treatment. She says that she went through a difficult time, but was cheered up by a sports massage therapist who had supported her since her Takarazuka days, and that she ended up marrying him.
Aina the End says that dancing, which she started as a child to cope with her restlessness, has always been a source of strength for her. Despite being bewildered by Kuroyanagi's unexpected requests, she performs a dance. She says that she is who she is today because she inherited the best qualities from her parents.
It was recently revealed that Yonesuke had previously covered Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's "dinner" when she was a young politician. She divorced at the age of 66 and remained single for 10 years, but has since remarried a woman 20 years her junior who worked in the caregiving field, and is now said to be very happy.
Kato's father was diagnosed with leukemia four years ago and spent time in the hospital. She talks about what it was like at the time and her father's current health. She says that her relationship with her family has grown stronger after going through such a serious illness. She also shows her talent as a writer, having been nominated for the Naoki Prize.
