Ayaka Hironaka Greets Festival-Goers With a Smile During Summer Fest Program Despite the Heat

Waving to the onlookers as she said, “Hello!

In the heart of Roppongi, Tokyo, lies the lush, spacious Mohri Garden (Minato Ward), where filming for an information program was taking place. Holding a microphone and smiling at the camera was TV Asahi announcer Ayaka Hironaka (34).

“Since 2014, TV Asahi has hosted a summer festival every year. This year, it’s being held as the ‘TV Asahi Roppongi Hills SUMMER FES’ from July 19 to August 17. The main venues are the TV Asahi headquarters and the entire Roppongi Hills area, with attractions from popular programs, music performances, and more,” explained a TV Asahi staff member.

On the opening day, July 19 at 11 a.m., Hironaka—dressed in the event’s T-shirt—was filming a promotional segment. The temperature that day was 33°C. Under the blazing sun, she energetically introduced the event while holding a script. During breaks, she shaded herself with a large parasol, but still kept smiling throughout. As she moved around Roppongi Hills, she waved and cheerfully greeted onlookers with a “Hello~,” much to their delight.

“Hironaka announced her marriage in September 2022 to Shogo Okada (34), CEO of the English learning service company Progrit. The company went public in April 2022, and Okada’s personal assets were said to exceed 1.5 billion yen (at the time of listing).

She also gave birth to her first child in November 2023, leading to speculation that she might go independent. However, Hironaka barely took any maternity leave and returned to work in April 2024,” noted a TV magazine writer.

Hironaka also appeared in the first episode of the drama A Happy Marriage, which premiered on July 17, starring Sadao Abe (55) and Takako Matsu (48). Having already been inducted into the “Most Popular Female Announcer” Hall of Fame, she looks set to continue leading TV Asahi’s female announcer popularity in the years ahead.