Nagisa Watanabe’s Journey from Despair to Renewal: I’ll Challenge Everything

Please reconsider.

Even after being discharged, it was difficult for her to even walk outside for a while. Even with outpatient treatment, there was no sign of improvement.

Due to the nature of the cognitive behavioral therapy that Watanabe underwent, she first needed to confront her trauma. However, every time she remembered the events of that time, she experienced flashbacks. The treatment progressed slowly, and she couldn’t even confide in close colleagues or family, which made her feel isolated from society. She felt like she could never return to being an announcer.

In the spring of this year, Watanabe formally informed Fuji TV of her intention to resign.

“At first, I conveyed my decision through the company’s occupational physician, but I was persuaded to reconsider. The discussion wasn’t moving forward, so I consulted with my lawyer, primary care doctor, and social worker. I felt it was necessary to leave the company as soon as possible for both my treatment and to move on to the next stage of my life.”

Although the discussions remained stagnant, once she solidified her decision, she felt a little relieved.

From June, she began receiving specialized treatment, prolonged exposure therapy, and conducted an experiment to see how far she could go by herself outside. The effects began to show. With permission from Fuji TV, her primary care doctor, and her clinician, she decided to visit Paris in early August to watch the men’s volleyball at the Paris Olympics. Having been a member of the volleyball team in high school and involved in volleyball broadcasts, it was something she really wanted to see live.

However, by coincidence, her presence was captured in the broadcast footage, leading to strong criticism online.

“It might sound like an excuse, but I had already expressed my intention to resign to the company in April, and I had planned to resign by the end of July at the latest. However, due to the company’s circumstances, I was asked to wait until the program scheduling period. I want to make that clear.

Thanks to the treatment, by July, I was gradually able to control my panic attacks. As part of the treatment, I had to challenge myself with a long-distance trip experimentally.

I apologize to those who were uncomfortable, but I genuinely believe it was a worthwhile experience. It was an emotional experience that gave me hope to live in Paris and became a source of energy for tomorrow.”