[Full Article] TV Asahi Announcer Tsumugi Mitani: Photos of a “Happy Hand-in-Hand” Long Date with Her Boyfriend—With Whom She’s “Already Introduced to Her Parents”—Who She’s Essentially Living With

She thoroughly enjoyed her izakaya date

The CONCACAF Gold Cup came to a close with Spain’s victory. While the high-level competition among the superstars was setting all of Japan ablaze, TV Asahi announcer Tsumugi Mitani (32)—known as the biggest soccer fan among female TV announcers—was also enjoying some “sizzling” days of her own.

One night in mid-June, Mitani was spotted in front of an izakaya in Tokyo renowned for its delicious sake. Standing close beside her was a tall, handsome man who resembled actor Shota Someya.

“He is a man known as ‘Mr. A,’ and he is Mitani’s boyfriend. The two have been dating for five and a half years. Mitani’s beloved teacup poodle has become quite attached to him, and on days when her recordings run late into the night, Mr. A sometimes takes the dog for a walk. She has already introduced him to her parents, and the two appear to be living together.”
“I hear Mitani started drinking sake after turning 30 and has become completely hooked. Mr. A also seems to enjoy drinking, and the two of them are apparently going on pub crawls together,” said a TV Asahi employee.

In fact, Ms. A is the office worker of the same age group whom FRIDAY reported on in its June 25, 2021, issue for a “hand-holding & car-kissing date.”

They likely savored the sake to their hearts’ content that day as well. The drinking party kicked off at 7:00 p.m., but the final whistle didn’t blow until past 11:00 p.m. Since this was right after the Japanese national team’s Group Stage Match 1, in which they snatched a point from the Netherlands, the conversation about the World Cup must have really taken off.

After a long date lasting well over four hours—including stoppage time—the couple left the bar… not the soccer field… and headed home.On the way home, Mr. A held Mitani’s hand firmly. Even after many years together, he never forgets the gentlemanly courtesy of escorting her—this diligence in “thoroughly attending to the basics” is surely the secret to their harmonious relationship.

Between takes, they were gushing about each other…

On another day, I ran into the two of them visiting an Italian restaurant in Tokyo. They entered the restaurant just after 7:00 p.m. and didn’t leave until—believe it or not—past 3:00 a.m. Although the restaurant’s official closing time was midnight, it seemed like an extended gathering had begun with the manager and staff joining in—perhaps because it’s one of Mitani’s regular haunts.

Her relationship with Mr. A is going extremely well. It looks like they’re headed straight for the altar! However, TV Asahi’s Public Relations Department responded to an inquiry from FRIDAY as follows:

“We do not comment on the private lives of our employees.”

Mitani has been enjoying long dates day after day. Meanwhile, his career is reportedly at a crossroads. The aforementioned TV Asahi employee explains:

“When he joined the company, he aspired to be a news reporter, but after trying his hand at gravure modeling and appearing in the station’s YouTube weight-loss series, he’s taken on a ‘talent’ image, and he still hasn’t been allowed to read the news. This year marks his 10th year with the company, so if he’s set on pursuing news reporting, going freelance could be one option.
Between shoots, Mitani often gushes about her boyfriend, saying things like, ‘I went to this yakitori place recently.’ Since they’ve been dating for a long time, once she decides on her next career move, her relationship with him might also take the next step.”

The day when we’ll hear such wonderful news that we can’t help but shout “Mamma Mia!” might not be far off—perhaps.

From the August 7 & 14, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*