Oswald Hatanaka Yu Reveals Reason for Being Suddenly Dumped in Exclusive Post-Solitary Drinking Interview

FRIDAY Scoop on A Brief Romance and Quick Breakup with Sakura Inoue

“I have many shortcomings.”

They were a couple that everyone wanted to support, but in the end, it ended so abruptly. Why did they choose to part ways?

“I have parted ways with Mr. Hatanaka, with whom I had been dating for two and a half years. After being photographed in a weekly magazine, we were often asked about our relationship on variety shows. I didn’t expect it to become such a big topic. I am full of gratitude towards Mr. Hatanaka.”

On May 19th, Sakura Inoue (24) announced her breakup with Yu Hatanaka (36) on her own SNS account.

Last December, our magazine broke the news of their passionate relationship. Hatanaka, a talented comedy duo brain who has reached the finals of “M-1 Grand Prix” four consecutive years, and Inoue, who shed her trademark thick eyebrows and gained momentum as a TV personality by hosting the popular long-running show “Shinkon-san Irasshai!” (ABC TV), received blessings from fans for their relationship.

“After being reported on FRIDAY, their relationship continued smoothly. However, in February this year, Hatanaka publicly disclosed his kidney cancer. Fortunately, there were no metastases at an early stage, but he underwent surgery to remove one kidney. Before the surgery, Sakura-chan went to see Hatanaka-san, and she rushed to his hospital room after the operation. They were truly a wonderful couple that everyone envied. It’s disappointing because many thought they might even get married.” (An acquaintance of the two)

Inoue candidly admitted on “Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi” (Fuji TV) in February that they had broken up about three times in their two-year relationship, so there was hope for a fourth reconciliation. However, it seems this time it’s not going to happen.

“Hatanaka-san, when their relationship became public, was room-sharing with a junior comedian in Tokyo. However, this spring, he moved out of that place into a spacious apartment costing around 200,000 yen in rent.

His income as a comedian has become more stable, and with their relationship lasting over two years, many thought he was finally gearing up for marriage. Hatanaka-san himself often expressed his desire to marry. It was during such a time that Sakura-chan initiated the breakup, leaving Hatanaka-san quite devastated.” (from the same source)

In late May on a certain day, FRIDAY witnessed a despondent Hatanaka. After finishing his performance at “Lumine the Yoshimoto” in Shinjuku, around 7 PM, he entered a familiar izakaya he used to frequent before moving.

“It seemed like Hatanaka-san was drinking alone at a table towards the back of the restaurant. He often sits there silently munching on food while looking at his phone. When he left the restaurant, he seemed a bit lonely, and somehow Hatanaka-san’s large figure looked somewhat small,” (an eyewitness).

In order to hear the truth behind the breakup, FRIDAY approached the heartbroken Hatanaka.

–Mr. Hatanaka, good evening. It’s been a while. This is FRIDAY.

“Oh, what’s this all of a sudden? (laughs)”

–We heard that you and Ms. Sakura Inoue has broken up. Is it because of FRIDAY’s reporting?

“No, it’s my fault.”

–Could it possibly be due to infidelity?

“No, there was no infidelity.”

–But considering you’ve broken up and reconciled three times in the past, maybe there’s a chance for another reconciliation?

“No, no, no, that’s not happening.”

–You mentioned on the radio that you wanted to get married. Were there misunderstandings in that area?

“Well, that might have been the case. I had a lot of shortcomings.”

–Are you not in contact with her now?

“Yeah, not really. It’s more business-like, like sending over belongings.”

–Do you have something you want to tell her?

“No, I’ve already said everything directly to her. Well, it’s a mix of feelings, including apologies. But now, I’m focusing on moving forward, hoping we each find happiness in our own paths.”

His appearance on Shinkon-san Irasshai with Inoue has become an unfulfilled dream.

From the June 21, 2024 issue of FRIDAY