Yukina Kinoshita Opens Up: “I’m Happiest Now; I Don’t Want to Return to Terrestrial Broadcasting”

Three years have passed since FRIDAY reported on her love affair with a former J-League player.

While his personal life has reached a major milestone, he remains as boisterous as ever on the Internet

“I’m really able to connect with my kids now. Listening to their school stories and cooking meals for them makes me feel happy,” Yukina Kinoshita (36) said with a smile directed at the FRIDAY reporter.

In the past year, Kinoshita has significantly broadened her activities. In November of last year, she made her terrestrial television comeback after four years on “Zengryoku! Daraku Times” (Fuji TV). In April of this year, she challenged herself as a cabaret girl on “Ai no Haiena” (ABEMA). When she appeared in a popular YouTuber’s video at the end of August, she talked about “hated talents,” sparking discussions mainly on social media.

Behind her energetic activities, it seems there has been a certain change.

“Her boyfriend, former J-League player Hidetoshi Sanko (31), announced his retirement this July. Sanko hasn’t publicly discussed his second career. Meanwhile, their eldest daughter started junior high this year. She seems to be increasing her activities with a focus on household finances,” said an entertainment agency source.

There were also other changes in her living situation. Last October, the hit-and-run incident involving her ex-husband, Fujimoto Toshifumi (53), was revealed, but before that, Kinoshita had already moved from a luxury apartment in Tokyo to another apartment.

“Since their divorce at the end of 2019, Yukina had been living in the same apartment as Fujimoto. In their under one roof arrangement, Fujimoto shared childcare duties, such as picking up and dropping off their daughters.

She is currently living with Sanko, but actually, her current home was purchased by Fujimoto. Fujimoto also moved to a rented apartment just a few minutes away and is living there. Kinoshita is almost daily responsible for the one-hour round trip to drop off and pick up their kids, but her relationship with Fujimoto remains good. I’ve even heard that Fujimoto recently took their daughters to Disneyland,” said a friend of Kinoshita.

 

His relationship with Fujimon and the possibility of his return to show business.

As she welcomed changes in both her personal and professional life, what does Kinoshita think now? After finishing her shopping at the supermarket, she was approached. Dressed casually in white sweatpants and a matching top, her sweater was slipping off her shoulder. “I really don’t like this look!” she said with an embarrassed smile, reflecting on her current life, and she also shared her thoughts about her relationship with her boyfriend.

—Is your relationship with Sanko going well?

“Yeah, we’re doing our best (laughs).”

—I’ve heard you’re living together; do you have any plans for marriage?

“Not at all. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. I don’t think it will happen for a while.”

—How’s your relationship with Fujimon?

“It’s the same as always. I still leave the kids with him sometimes. We often communicate on LINE.”

Kinoshita continued to respond brightly to the reporter’s questions. Regarding Fujimon’s return to entertainment activities, she revealed, “The girls are also happy about it.”

When asked about her own potential return to the entertainment industry, she calmly began to share her true feelings.

—Are you considering a full-fledged return to terrestrial broadcasting?

“I think it’s quite difficult.”

—Don’t you have the desire to come back?

“Well, I feel like I’m okay with it for now. I’d like to if I could be the kind of character who can say what I want, like before. But times have changed, right? So maybe it doesn’t fit the current needs (laughs).”

—Are you happier with your current situation?

“Today, the kids told me they wanted gyudon for dinner, so I went and bought the ingredients. I’m able to spend time for the kids. So, I think I feel the happiest right now.”

As she was leaving, Kinoshita showed concern, saying,

“I’m sorry, I don’t have any interesting stories (laughs).” 

It seems she is savoring her happiness without being swayed by the voices around her.

From the September 27 and October 4 combined issue of FRIDAY