Is Seven Bento Enough? Minayo Watanabe Surrounded by Fans at Shin-Osaka Station

Performing as if she were an idol

Around 7 p.m. in mid-November, a couple was walking through the concourse of Shin-Osaka Station, surrounded by a group of men walking closely behind them. The couple in question was Minayo Watanabe (55) and her husband, businessman Masaki Yajima (59).

In fact, two days prior and the day before, Watanabe had held a fan meeting in Osaka, with Yajima accompanying her. During the event, Watanabe wore a pure white dress and performed songs from her days with the “Onyanko Club,” delighting her long-time fans with a nostalgic performance.

“The ‘Onyanko Club’ was a female idol group that originated from the Fuji TV variety show ‘Yuuyake Nyan Nyan.’ Their activity period was just three years, from 1985 to 1987, but they produced many popular idols such as Sayuri Kokushou (57) and Shizuka Kudo (54).

Watanabe, along with Mariko Watanabe (54), was part of ‘W Watanabe,’ which was hugely popular. She debuted as a solo artist in July 1986 with ‘Hitomi ni Yakusoku’ and went on to top the charts with five consecutive singles, a new record at the time” (idol magazine writer).

In 1996, Watanabe married Masaki Yajima, a member of the rockabilly band HOT SOX and former assistant to Hiromi Go (69). Now in their 28th year of marriage, they continue to appear together on Watanabe’s YouTube channel. The channel has gained massive support from women, and Watanabe has become a charismatic figure among people of her generation.

 

And buying station lunches for the staff.

Let’s return to the beginning of the story. The men surrounding Watanabe and her husband at Shin-Osaka Station were likely enthusiastic fans who had been waiting there after attending the event. The group walked around the station for a while, and one passerby who witnessed the scene commented:

“Watanabe-san was constantly smiling and chatting with the fans, enjoying the interaction. During that time, she bought seven bento boxes for the staff at a souvenir shop. It seemed like her husband made the payment. They were so in sync as a couple (laughs).”

Watanabe’s charming smile is likely supported by the constant care of her beloved husband.

FRIDAY Digital is looking forward to receiving information and tips from you. Please send your information to the following information form or to the official X.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit