No One Sparkled More Than Suzu Hirose—Actress Goes All Out Supporting Men’s Basketball

Praised by a Master

From clasping her hands as if in prayer to throwing both arms up in a cheer when points were scored, to getting carried away at a big chance—only to slump down with an embarrassed smile when it slipped away—

the one showing such a variety of expressions at the venue was actress Suzu Hirose (27). This was at the men’s basketball Japan national team’s warm-up match on July 19 at Lala Arena Tokyo Bay in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. With Hirose visiting the venue as a special booster for TV Asahi and cheering so charmingly, Japan defeated Denmark 69–64.

“Hirose is famous as a huge basketball lover, having been part of her school club until her third year of junior high. She made headlines by attending last summer’s Paris Olympics in person, as well as the 2023 World Cup held in Okinawa,” notes a sports newspaper reporter.

Given Hirose’s passion for basketball, her fervent cheering comes as no surprise. Meanwhile, in her main profession as an actress, her reputation is also soaring. Entertainment reporter Masako Hasegawa explains:

“In the Netflix drama Like Asura, released this January to huge success, director Hirokazu Kore-eda praised her, saying she ‘came to the set in a perfect state.’ Reportedly, her lines were flawless and she hardly needed a retake.”

Whether at the basketball arena or on set, actress Suzu Hirose shone brighter than anyone else.

From the August 8 and 15, 2025, issue of “FRIDAY”