Suzu Hirose Watches Japan Basketball Win as Rui Hachimura Gets Super Close—Her Every Move Captivates Fans

Rui Hachimura sat next to her. Hirose looked completely shocked

Even the small gesture of sitting in the courtside booster section and having a staff member remove her earphones radiated the dazzling aura of an actress. It was Suzu Hirose (28).

On August 16, the Japan–South Korea game of the “International Games Ahead of the Final Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup” was held at Ariake Arena in Koto Ward, Tokyo, and the game was broadcast live on TV Asahi. Just before tip-off, when TV Asahi announcer Yohei Onishi (41) and Hirose stepped onto the court beside a life-size panel of Yuki Kawamura (25), a huge cheer erupted from the crowd along with cries of surprise. Holding a microphone as a sideline reporter, Hirose said to the television camera:

“Yuki Kawamura has returned to the Japanese national team for the first time in two years. After gaining experience on the world’s highest stage, the NBA, please keep an eye on Japan’s floor general as he has achieved even further growth. The game is about to begin.”

She then left the court and took a seat in the booster section set up directly behind the Japanese team’s bench.

“Hirose was a member of her middle school basketball club until her third year, and she is still known as a huge basketball fan. She even traveled to watch the World Cup held in Okinawa in the summer of 2023 and the Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024 in person. Last year, she was appointed ‘TV Asahi Basketball SP Booster’ for the ‘FIBA Asia Cup 2025,’ and this time she also appeared as a guest commentator.” (Sports newspaper reporter)

Once the game began, Hirose focused all her attention on the action. Whenever there was a big play, she would clap both hands above her head, and at times she even stood up from her seat and used animated gestures to explain the play to announcer Onishi.

Perhaps she felt like moving her own body as well, because during halftime she left the booster section and was seen making stretching-like movements. And then came the moment when Hirose’s expression shone the brightest that day.

Rui Hachimura (28), who plays for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, came over to the booster section and sat down right next to Hirose.

Hachimura did not play in the game that day as he was managing his physical condition. Perhaps Hirose had not been told in advance. When Hachimura suddenly appeared beside her, she looked up at him with an astonished expression unlike anything she had shown before. Even so, she quickly returned to her usual expression and exchanged smiles and greetings with him. Once the second half began, both of them focused on the game. At one point, they were also seen exchanging a few words. The scene drew reactions on social media such as “The size difference between Hachimura and Suzu Hirose is insane when you put them side by side” and “It makes Hirose’s tiny face look even smaller.”

Japan won the game decisively, 95–66. After finishing her duties as a booster, Hirose showed a satisfied smile when a staff member removed her earphones, just as at the beginning of the article.

With Hirose cheering them on, the Japanese national team will surely continue charging forward toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.