Special Talk Part 2: Aika Kanda and Kayoko Okubo on “Should Okubo Get Married?

Freelance announcer Aika Kanda (44) and TV personality Kayoko Okubo (53) have often appeared together on variety shows and radio programs. They have also deepened their relationship in private, as Okubo has been invited to the Kanda family’s home parties. To commemorate the second anniversary of their serial “Me, Pink, and Sometimes New York,” the two close friends had a special talk this time. They candidly discussed their changing values and views on life as they age, as well as the unique concerns and lifestyles of the “Los Generation Generation”.

Special Dialogue Part 1: Aika Kanda and Kayoko Okubo on “Inappropriate” Early Years and How to Interact with Today’s Youth

Should Kayoko Okubo get married?

Kanda: I have one question for you, Ms. Okubo. The other day on “Poka Poka” (Fuji TV), I had the opportunity to ask mothers about the difficulties of raising children. Nowadays, we are free to choose whether or not to get married or have children, but how do you think I, who do not have children, or Ms. Okubo, who is not married, should show my presence in such a project?

Okubo: There was an episode of “Ueda to Onna ga Barkaru Yoru (The Night Ueda and Women Bark)” (NTV), where the theme was the difficulty of childbirth. I was a regular, so I thought it would be good if I could be a listener and make the audience laugh a little, so I went on the show as usual. When I saw that, I realized ″There are so many people in the world who put a lot of emphasis on raising children. I am childless in my life, but I was reminded that the feelings of those who want children but cannot have them must be immeasurably strong.

Kanda You can understand the pain of those who have difficulty having children, can’t you?

Okubo That’s right, of course, because it is normal to consider starting a family as a major life event.

Kanda The other day, there was an event for Ms. Okubo’s radio program “Kayoko Okubo Torabura LOVE” (TBS Radio). There, you took a survey of listeners asking if Kayoko Okubo should get married. I think the result was about 50-50, but what do you really think?　Do you really care either way?

Okubo: It really could go either way. It’s not that I really want to get married or that I dare not get married. It’s just that, even though I enjoy living freely, there are times when I suddenly feel down. I think that when I get older, there will be more hardship than fun. The death of my parents beyond the average life expectancy, my friend’s illness, my illness. And the death of my dog, Pacobi. I’m terrified that I’m going to have to go through all of this alone. I wish I had someone to talk to.

Kanda Why not a female friend?

Okubo I don’t think I can be that picky with female friends. Everyone has their own life, so I can’t call on them right away. But a partner is there when you go home, waiting for you 24 hours a day, listening to you.

Kanda It’s fine if you start a relationship, isn’t it?

Okubo There is a time when my libido rises about once every three months, and it would be nice if someone else got involved and it happened naturally. Being in a relationship means keeping in regular contact and seeing each other regularly, right? It seems like a hassle, doesn’t it?

Kanda But you have been going out to dinner with nice men, haven’t you?

Okubo It was a dinner party like anyone else would have. I set the target in my imagination as a man who was a little nice to me. If it was this guy, I would go out for yakitori, go to a nice date spot, and then say, “Do you want to come over to my place to see Paco-chan?” It would be something like ……. I kind of fantasize like a high school student and think, “That’s not so bad,” but I don’t take any action. They don’t take any action either, and when they realize it, the other person is married.

Kanda I am married, so I may not be very convincing, but sometimes I think there are many things more enjoyable than love. I had a group of close friends in junior high and high school, and two of them are not in love, but they are very lively and seem to be having fun.

Okubo You are certainly free, aren’t you? I can understand that feeling. Besides, love is fun, but unpleasant things will definitely come. When I imagine that, I think to myself, “It will definitely be a hassle.” In my 20s, I would have rushed into love without thinking, but not now.

Kanda But what would you do if you got married?　If your work were as busy as it is now, it would be a slippery slope.

Okubo If I were in my mid-40s, I would probably not want to save work for marriage, but now, I might want to cherish the time I have with that person.

Kanda So you don’t stick to the status quo?

Okubo That’s right. I would hate it if I was told to cut my work to zero, but I might look for a compromise.