Risa Unai Reflects on Devoting 99% of Her Life to Work in TV and Radio

“My husband was the one who encouraged me.”

After retiring, I also started streaming game videos and ended up spending more days holed up at home. This year, before I knew it, the cherry blossoms had already fallen (laughs).

Risa Unai (33), a former TBS announcer who left the company this March, said this with a wry smile. After graduating from Keio University, she joined TBS in 2015 and was in charge of the network’s flagship shows such as Hiruobi and Akko ni Omakase!. Reflecting on her early days, Unai recalls:

“During the initial training period right after joining, I was locked in the announcer’s department for eight hours every day. The training room had no windows to see outside, so for about four months, I barely knew what the weather was like outside while thoroughly being drilled on the fundamentals of being an announcer.”

In her second year, she was chosen as the sportscaster for NEWS 23, starting her career in sports journalism. She covered events such as the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the Russia World Cup, traveling around the world.

“The Olympic team selections often took place on weekends, so I appeared on NEWS 23 Monday to Friday and covered games on Saturdays and Sundays. It was a grueling schedule, but at the PyeongChang Olympics, I was deeply moved by the performances of Yuzuru Hanyu (30) and Shoma Uno (27) in men’s figure skating. At the Russia World Cup, in an overwhelmingly hostile away atmosphere, I even felt a sacred aura around the Japanese players, who were battling with the hopes of the nation on their shoulders.”

Her work extended beyond TV. She also served as the Thursday partner on TBS Radio’s After 6 Junction (Atoroku).

“I joined TBS wanting to do radio, so when the producer at that time invited me, I was thrilled to finally have the chance to be involved in radio. Every week, I was happy to talk with Utamaru (55) of RHYMESTER, the main personality. His vast knowledge in movies, books, manga, and games constantly amazed me. Also, I deeply respect Utamaru for continuing to accept and incorporate new things and values no matter how old he gets.”

Although Unai enjoyed a fulfilling career as a prominent announcer, she began considering retirement about three years ago.

“I was dedicating 99% of my life to work. It was rewarding, but I wondered if it was okay to continue living a life devoted only to work. My husband was the one who encouraged me. He knew I was pushing myself too hard and told me, ‘Just quit already.’”

In the May 15 issue of FRIDAY and the paid edition FRIDAY GOLD dated May 30, she openly talks about her life after leaving the company and her future plans.