Miss Japan Winner Ema Yoshioka Displays Passion on Spring High School Volleyball Report

Also takes a breather with shadow volleyball

Dressed in a beige suit and holding a microphone, Fuji TV announcer Ema Yoshioka (23) watches the court with a serious expression.

The “JVA All Japan High School Volleyball Championship,” commonly known as “Haruko Volleyball,” opened on January 5 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (Shibuya Ward). This year, Yoshioka was chosen as the “Haruko Passion Caster,” a role previously held by former Sexy Zone members Kento Nakajima (31) and Shori Sato (29), and she energetically reported from the sidelines.

“In her first year at the company, Yoshioka stands 173 cm tall. She is from Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, and has 18 years of experience in hard tennis. In junior high, she was on the track team and recorded a 100m time in the 13-second range. While attending Kwansei Gakuin University, she won the grand prize at the 55th Miss Nippon Contest 2023 and belonged to ‘St. Force Kansai,’ working as a freelance announcer. Fuji TV has high expectations for this highly talented and attractive elite announcer,” said a TV magazine writer.

On January 6, Yoshioka updated her social media:

“As the Haruko Passion Caster, I’ll be bringing you lots of information! Let’s cheer together for the players’ heated battles~!”

Along with her message, she posted a photo in front of the character “Babo-chan” set up outside the gymnasium.

On January 8, Yoshioka demonstrated her deserving reputation. From the press seats, she kept a close eye on the court and reported on the players’ movements. During the third-round match between Miyakonojo Technical High School (Miyazaki) and Shizusei High School (Shizuoka), she displayed a sharply focused expression, giving off the aura of a fully switched-on athlete.

During breaks, she played shadow volleyball without a ball with the staff, smiling brightly and taking a proper breather. Just before the quarterfinals, she returned to her pre-match reporting duties. Holding the microphone and watching the players, she looked focused and impressive once again.

Currently, Yoshioka handles programs such as Live News It! and Live News α (α Sport!). In an interview when she won the grand prize at Miss Nippon 2023, she cited former NTV announcer Takahiko Fujii (54), now working freelance, as her role model:

“Every word he chooses is warm and strikes the heart. I think he must have worked hard to select his words that way, and I admire that part of him.”

The day when she will be entrusted as the main anchor for news or sports programs may not be far off.