“Quite the Party Mood!”—Hiroshi Kume’s Final News Station Morning Scene

“I’m a person with quirks”

It was revealed that freelance announcer Hiroshi Kume had passed away on New Year’s Day. According to his agency, Office Two One, the cause of death was lung cancer. He was 81 years old.

On the final broadcast of his long-running show Kume Hiroshi Radio Nandesukedo (TBS Radio), which he hosted from 2006 to 2020 for 14 years, Kume handled his duties calmly, reporting from live locations as usual. At the ending of the show on June 27, 2020, he spoke in a gentle tone:

“I’m a person with quirks, so the staff probably had a hard time. I think the listeners also have quirks. This isn’t really a goodbye, so if there’s another chance, sometime, someday, I’d like to do it again.”

Afterwards, he regularly distributed videos on social and media topics through the internet program Kume＊Net, which he launched in 2019. In the 194th video, released on May 30, 2021, he announced he would travel by yacht, and after that, he went on hiatus.

Kume graduated from Waseda University’s School of Political Science and Economics in 1967 and joined TBS. With his lighthearted style, he gained prominence on radio shows like Saturday Wide, and as host of variety quiz programs such as Pittashi Kan Kan and The Best Ten, becoming a face of the network. At the height of his popularity in 1979, he suddenly left TBS to become a freelancer. He continued hosting popular programs, but in April 1985 announced his resignation from all live broadcasts, citing: “I’m tired. At this rate, I’ll burn out myself.”

However, six months later, in October 1985, he became the anchor of News Station (hereafter N Station) on TV Asahi. With his distinctive speaking style, he combined irony and humor, expressing personal opinions and observations, transforming the format of news programs at the time. It was even called a revolution in news broadcasting. He maintained high viewership until he stepped down in March 2004, according to a source from commercial news programs.

Kume’s remarks and actions on N Station always attracted attention and were often controversial. FRIDAY reported on his appearance just before being named N Station anchor (June 21, 1985 issue) and immediately after his final appearance (April 16, 2004 issue).

Extreme Weight Loss Was Due to Dieting

Two months after suddenly stepping down as host of the hugely popular music program The Best Ten, Kume was seen shopping with his beloved wife, dressed casually in jeans and a trainer. However, his noticeably extreme weight loss sparked speculation about possible health problems. There was concern, but by that time, his position as N Station anchor had already been decided. According to his agency, “He lost weight because he wanted to pursue a new challenge.”

It would be only four months later that Kume would revolutionize the news program.

Nineteen years later, FRIDAY witnessed Kume immediately after his final N Station broadcast on March 26, 2004.

On that day, after the show ended, a wrap-up party for the program was held in the cafeteria of TV Asahi headquarters (Minato, Tokyo). His close friend, freelance announcer Etsuko Komiya (67), also attended, and Kume reportedly remained in high spirits throughout, even cracking jokes. The after-party took place at a soba restaurant in Ebisu (Shibuya, Tokyo). According to participating program staff:

“Perhaps relieved of the burden, he was quite lively. He even spoke casually to younger staff he normally wouldn’t interact with.”

The after-party lasted until morning, and by the time Kume headed home, it was past 5 a.m. Seeing him get out of the car and walk home with staff gave a subtle feeling of melancholy.

It is heartbreaking to realize that we will never again hear his lighthearted, irony-filled narration. We pray for his soul.