Ryusei Ikuta and Senior Announcers Mock Junior Fuelling Fuji TV Struggles with Fallout
The morning information program “Mezamashi Doyobi” (Fuji TV network) is currently facing backlash on X and other platforms for a casual conversation scene from a commercial released in July this year.
The video, titled:
“Rookie announcer Koutarou Uegaki debuts as the weathercaster for ‘Mezamashi Doyobi’! Veteran vibes leave Ryusei Ikuta, Kayako Abe, and Kikue Nishiyama puzzled: ‘Is he really a 23-year-old born in 2001?'”
features rookie announcer Koutarou Uegaki (23) and his interactions with senior announcers during the commercial. However, this has recently been highlighted on X and other platforms, sparking controversy with comments such as:
“Isn’t this bullying?”
and causing a stir.
It doesn’t suit you.
The hosts were announcers Ryusei Ikuta (younger brother of actor Toma Ikuta), Kikue Nishiyama, and Kayako Abe. On this particular day, the program featured the weathercaster debut of rookie announcer Koutarou Uegaki, who had been gaining attention for his veteran-like presence despite being a newcomer.
During the commercial, as Uegaki was preparing for the weather segment via a live feed, a female voice from the studio—believed to be either Nishiyama or Abe, though not shown on-screen—commented over the mic:
“Oh, you’ve changed outfits. How sneaky. Wow, that T-shirt doesn’t suit you at all!”
Ikuta then remarked thoughtfully:
“A pop design doesn’t suit you, huh!”
Uegaki, undeterred by the seemingly unkind comments from his seniors, responded:
“Personally, I thought it suited me very well.”
However, Abe continued teasing, adding:
“Something like a jinbei would probably suit you better.”
“Afterwards, the conversation turned to Uegaki’s age, and when it was revealed that he is a 23-year-old born in 2001, Ikuta exclaimed, ‘That’s definitely a lie.’ This entire exchange led many to feel that it might be bullying or simply unpleasant, and it began to spread rapidly around October 28,” stated a women’s magazine reporter.
Upon checking the site of the individual who initially posted the problematic video, it was found that the post had garnered 33 million impressions as of October 29.
