TV Tokyo’s Yo Saito & TV Asahi’s Akari Matsuoka — Too-Cute Yukata Looks Stun During Fireworks Festival Broadcast

Popular Female Announcers Grace the City in Yukata

When it comes to summer fireworks festivals in Tokyo, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival and the Jingu Fireworks Festival are the big highlights.

On July 26, the 48th Sumida River Fireworks Festival was held, drawing an astonishing 930,000 spectators (according to organizers) despite the extreme heat.

“The festival is broadcast live by TV Tokyo every year. This year, veteran actor Hideki Takahashi (81) and TV Tokyo announcer Minami Nakahara (25) served as main hosts, with guests including Riho Yoshioka (32) and Kei Inoo (35) of Hey! Say! JUMP. It was a star-studded lineup,” —TV magazine writer.

The announcer who drew particular attention was newcomer Haru Saito, who served as progress host.

Saito, from Yamagata Prefecture and a graduate of Keio University’s Faculty of Law, made her TV debut on July 9 as a field reporter on TV Tokyo Music Festival 2025 ~ Summer ~. On July 12, she was announced as the fifth assistant on Moya Moya Summers 2, and began appearing on the show on the 19th.

“Both the MoyaMoya Summers 2 assistant role and the Sumida River Fireworks hosting were previously held by TV Tokyo ace Hitomi Tanaka (28). For a rookie like Saito to succeed her in both roles shows just how much faith the network has in her,” —the same writer.

At the fireworks festival, she reported live from Sakura Street in Mukojima, Sumida Ward. Just before the fireworks began, she appeared alongside Takahiro Azuma (55), looking elegant in a bright red floral yukata with a matching hair accessory. She handled the broadcast smoothly without any visible nerves, and even showed kindness by picking up a dropped water bottle for a passerby.

On August 16, the 2025 Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival was held at Meiji Jingu Gaien.

“Although the fireworks lasted one hour from 7:30 p.m., concerts by popular artists were staged at Jingu Stadium and Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium starting at 3 p.m., drawing over one million visitors—more than Sumida. The event is hosted by TV Asahi. At Jingu Stadium, announcer Sarasa Suzuki (25) took the MC role, while at Chichibunomiya, it was announcer Akari Matsuoka,” —the same writer.

Matsuoka joined TV Asahi in April last year. A 24-year-old from Hokkaido and a graduate of International Christian University, she was assigned as assistant MC of Hatori Shinichi Morning Show from her very first day—a rare talent.

At the Jingu fireworks event, Matsuoka appeared at 2 p.m., an hour before the program started, in a refreshing yellow-and-light-blue floral yukata. Despite temperatures soaring above 33°C and harsh UV rays beating down, she walked with a cool expression under the shade of an umbrella held by staff.

This year’s abnormal heatwave didn’t stop the two announcers from showing off their elegant yukata looks and refreshing smiles. Their future success is eagerly anticipated.