Free Announcer Aika Kanda: “In 2025, Dodgers Manager Roberts Will Change Me!

My mother’s stern pep talk

But (I have to say something!) but no words came out at all. (I have to reply in correct English! (I heard that Americans don’t use “nice to meet you” because it’s a stiff expression, but I told you!) ) My mind raced with unnecessary thoughts such as these, but my mouth was just puckered up like a goldfish waiting to be fed. I shook hands with him and remained silent, and I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I waved ″bye-bye″ to him myself with my other hand and walked away without even saying “thank you” (my stupidity!!!).

(My idiot!!! How rude to the director!!!) . For what reason have I made dozens of trips to the US? What kind of mouth professes to love New York? Even if I had replied in Japanese, it would have been better than saying nothing at all!

I was about to cry in frustration. But I thought my mother would praise me just for shaking her hand, so I called her to report. Then,

How long are you going to be such a miserable person? It’s as if you’ve thrown away all the money you’ve spent so far on your trip to the U.S. What can you do to gain confidence?　What do I have to do to gain confidence? That’s why you can’t expand your circle of friends! Take some time to regret it, and get depressed until you swear you will never do it again! He told me to fold up.

I was naive. My mother had always scolded me for my inability to take action when the time came, with words that would bring me down to the depths of despair. Just as she said, I am a woman in her mid-forties who still lacks courage and confidence. I really hate myself like this. I want to be a courageous person who can speak to anyone, no matter who they are! To do so, I need to study English, which I hate! I strongly, strongly vow that the Aika Kanda of 2025 will start studying again from This is a pen!

Aika Kanda was born in 1980 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Gakushuin University, Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, she joined NHK as an announcer in 2003, and left NHK in 2012 to become a freelance announcer. Since then, she has been active mainly in variety shows, and currently appears regularly as the main MC of the daytime TV program “Poka Poka” (Fuji Television Network).

Her first book, ” Where are you going on the road called Royal Road? is now on sale by popular demand!

From “FRIDAY” January 3, 10, and 17, 2025, combined issue.