Nozomi Sasaki’s Candid Remark on Marriage Sparks Talk of Ken Watabe’s TV Comeback

He revealed candidly, “At the time, I even considered divorce.”

Actress Nozomi Sasaki (37) appeared as a guest on the July 2nd broadcast of “Isshuu Mawatte Shiranai Hanashi 2-Hour Special” (NTV), where she addressed for the first time the 2020 cheating scandal involving her husband, Ken Watabe (52) of the comedy duo Unjash.

Sasaki and Watabe married in April 2017, and in September 2018, she announced on Instagram the birth of their first child, a son.

However, in June 2020, Shukan Bunshun reported Watabe’s multiple infidelities, notably involving a multi-purpose restroom. Following the scandal, he withdrew from all TV appearances and suspended his entertainment activities. Sasaki, in turn, faced public backlash and was forced to issue an apology.

Despite the controversy, Sasaki announced the birth of their second child via Instagram in April 2023.

On the program, Sasaki confessed, “At first, I didn’t know what to do. The thought [of divorce] crossed my mind.” She explained her decision to stay, saying, “But when I thought about the kids, he was a really good father in front of them—he took care of them and loved them dearly.” She wanted to believe in him as a father.

She continued, “If we divorced and someday our child learned the truth, I wondered: would it be better to have a father nearby or one who’s distant because of the divorce? I felt having a dad close by, watching over them, would be better. If they learned the truth while he was far away, they might come to hate him.”

Meanwhile, on the late-night June 30th episode of TOKYO SPEAKEASY (TOKYO FM), Watabe reflected on his life post-scandal. He joked that while he used to be known but not popular, he now has a devoted fanbase. “These past five years have been a desperate effort to keep going. I’ve got fire in my belly now—if I don’t keep moving, it’s all over. One misstep and I’m in the dark again,” he said with a laugh, signaling a more determined attitude toward his work.

An entertainment reporter added:

“The cheating was bad enough, but the fact that it happened in a public restroom devastated his public image. His apology press conference in December 2020 came far too late, which only worsened the backlash and delayed his return to showbiz.

He resumed work in February 2022, but his only regular gig remains Shirokuro Unjash (Chiba TV), co-hosted with his partner Kazuya Kojima (52). Invitations from major networks are still out of reach.”

Major terrestrial networks now see this as the perfect time to bring her on

Since his return, Watabe’s primary sources of income have included corporate lectures, speeches at weddings, his nearly 500,000-subscriber YouTube channel “The Location Scouting Show Where Unjash Watabe Dreams of Appearing on Terrestrial Gourmet TV Someday”, and an online salon. His strong presence in the Netflix series “Batō Village,” released in May, shows that his activities outside terrestrial TV are on the rise.

“Around now, the public backlash is likely subsiding. While there are still viewers who feel disgusted, Sasaki’s bold revelations serve as powerful support. If he appears on terrestrial TV, it will definitely generate buzz. The groundwork for a comeback is gradually being laid,” said a television network insider.

Entertainment journalist Kazuhiro Futada offered this take on Watabe’s future:

“I believe Sasaki spoke out with her agency’s approval, but on the flip side, it likely means she’s prepared to divorce at any time.

For TV networks, this is the perfect time to bring Watabe back. That said, since the affair took place in a multi-purpose restroom, it’s hard for co-stars to make light of it. Also, there are plenty of MCs and comedians who can take his place. It will be difficult for him to reclaim his former position.

His partner Kojima has become quite successful as a solo performer after the scandal. If Watabe had any chance of returning, he would have forced his way back onto terrestrial TV. But now, he’s earning steadily through side gigs. For the time being, he’ll probably take a one-off appearance when offers come approach.”

There was a time after the scandal when Watabe had no work at all and relied on Sasaki to support the household. Judging by his recent comments on “When the Circle Comes Around”, it seems his life of being unable to say no to his wife is far from over.

 

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In mid-March 2025, Watabe was seen speeding through an upscale Tokyo neighborhood on his bicycle. What was the rush?