Fuji TV’s Yumi Nagashima to Resign in March—The Truth Behind Her Next Career Move

She hosted the flagship morning program for eight years.

“I had been consulting with the company for several years about how I wanted to be and the challenges I wanted to take on, but I made my decision last October and have been preparing for my resignation.”

On March 10, Fuji TV announcer Yumi Nagashima (33) updated her Instagram to announce that she will be leaving the network on March 31.

Nagashima joined Fuji TV in 2014. Since her father, former J-League player Akihiro Nagashima (60), was a sportscaster on Fuji TV’s Super News, there were whispers about nepotism hiring. However, in 2016, she became the main caster of Mezamashi TV and hosted the morning flagship program for eight years until she graduated from Mezamashi 8 in March 2023. She also served as an MC for FNS Kayousai and Junk Sports, solidifying her status as one of the network’s top announcers.

In her personal life, she married a senior colleague at Fuji TV in 2021. She went on maternity leave in December 2023 and announced the birth of her first child in January 2024. However, instead of returning to work, she decided to leave the company.

Regarding her future, Nagashima wrote:

“Starting next month, I will be stepping into a new environment where I will continue to utilize my communication skills. I also hope to engage in work related to sports, such as dance, which I have practiced for 25 years. Additionally, I want to contribute to spreading the appeal of fruits through my qualifications as a ‘Fruit Instructor’ and ‘Organic Fruit Sommelier,’ which I obtained three years ago.”

Nagashima was known for her athleticism and dancing skills, having been a member of the prestigious Keimei Gakuin Cheerleading Club in Hyogo during her middle and high school years. While her background in dance and sports is well-known, her sudden focus on fruits may seem surprising.

“Since she had been working on morning programs for a long time, she became more conscious of maintaining a balanced diet, which led her to prioritize the intake of fruits. As a result, she began studying fruits in depth, learning about different varieties and production areas. I believe she aims to share the appeal of fruits from a nutritional perspective as well,” said a Fuji TV production staff member.

However, reactions on social media have been mixed, with some speculating, “Maybe she’s going to focus on being a full-time housewife,” and others commenting, “Given the current state of the TV industry, her decision to leave makes sense.” Meanwhile, industry insiders from other networks have also raised questions about her move.

There are also voices suggesting that she may not return to television

“Fuji TV has implemented Japan’s first paternity leave system among key stations, offering substantial benefits. Despite this, Nagashima is leaving without returning after childbirth, leading to speculation that she may not come back to television.”

Indeed, former Fuji TV announcer Maki Ohashi (48) also left the network to become an aromatherapist, with many expecting her eventual return, but she never did. However, an industry insider dismisses such concerns.

“This has nothing to do with any issues at Fuji TV. As she stated on Instagram, she had already made this decision last year. She has even been in contact with entertainment agencies. She plans to leverage her skills from news and music programs and will continue appearing on TV if opportunities arise. Without the constraints of being a station announcer, she will likely expand into a wider range of activities.”

Beyond promoting sports and fruit, could she also venture into the mom talent sphere? Her future endeavors will be something to watch.