Kenji Suzuki’s “final thoughtfulness” on the eve of his retirement from NHK.

That year, singer Harumi Miyako had announced her retirement, and the last performance was the last stage of the Kohaku Grand Finale. After she finished singing, when the audience called for an encore, Ms. Suzuki called out to the audience , “Please give me one minute. She then pleaded with Harumi, who was crouching down with tears in her eyes, and the encore was realized. It was a moving scene that will remain in the history of Kohaku. The phrase “Please give me one minute” became a popular phrase.

The “consideration” shown at the end

In 1984, Mr. Suzuki’s retirement was extended by two years because of his status as a director, but he retired from NHK in January 1988. This magazine interviewed Mr. Suzuki just before his retirement (February 5, 1988 issue). Looking back on his career, Mr. Suzuki said, “As an announcer, I am not good at what I do.

As an announcer, I was not very good. So I worked harder than others. Failure stories? I am often asked about my failures. But professionals don’t fail. Some people talk about their failures with great gusto, but I can’t tell you.

When I asked him about his fondest memories of the past 36 years, he replied, “The year 1959.

The live broadcast from Katsura-rikyu in 1959. It was the first time a TV camera was in Katsura Rikyu. It was raining lightly, and as we entered the shoin (drawing room), I thought, “Oh, if only the sun would shine here. I was really happy.

What also attracted attention was his post-retirement plans. Would I transfer to a commercial broadcaster? Or would he go to an NHK affiliate? Or would he run for election? There were also rumors that he might run for election. When we asked him about it, he responded with his typical “considerate” answer.

Until I resign, I can’t mention my future plans. It would be disrespectful to the staff and viewers I am working with.

After retiring, Mr. Suzuki devoted himself to activities to pass on the traditional performing arts, such as serving as director of the Kumamoto Prefectural Theater and cultural advisor to Aomori Prefecture, in addition to writing and lecturing. After 1990, it seems that he rarely appeared on television.

Legend has it that Mr. Suzuki went to the studio having memorized the entire script. He believed that it was unprofessional for an announcer to speak as written in a script, and that he could speak in his own words only when he added facts he had researched on his own. Based on this belief, Mr. Suzuki’s announcing technique was a craftsmanship, and he was also called “the last craftsman announcer.

We pray for his soul rest in peace.