“Tell Me Your Definition of a Lover”: Shinji Ishimaru’s “Typical Shinji” Response to Reports of a “Overnight Stay”

He has also appeared on a dating reality show

Shinji Ishimaru (44), the former mayor of Akitakata who generated significant buzz in the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election, now appears to be facing a critical decision-making moment—both in his personal life and his political career.

In late August, after an event in Tokyo, FRIDAY caught Ishimaru walking affectionately with a beautiful woman in her late 30s who resembles First Summer Uika. After wrapping up an after-party with staff members, the two got into a taxi alone and headed to the designer apartment in Tokyo that serves as Ishimaru’s base.They spent the night together there until just past noon the following day.

“This woman is a former administrative staff member of ‘The Path to Regeneration,’ where Ishimaru served as representative. Since he stepped down as representative last September, she has been working as his personal secretary. She’s cheerful and has a good disposition, and she was well-regarded within the office,” said a political insider.

She is truly his “closest partner, both professionally and personally.” However, Ishimaru appeared on the dating reality show “Love Hospital” (ABEMA), which aired this past April, under the pseudonym “Shinji.” Due to his overly clumsy words and actions, he was said to have “complicated his love life,” and he did not end up forming a couple on the show.

A Major Decision Beyond Just Romance

However, in the real world, it seems he had the solid support of his “strongest partner.” And what became the biggest talking point of all was Mr. Ishimaru’s “response” to the interview.

“Are the two of you a couple?”

In response to this direct question, Mr. Ishimaru replied

“First, could you please explain to me what the definition of ‘lovers’ is?”

This style—commonly known as the “Ishimaru Construction”—in which he avoids answering the question directly and instead first asks for a “definition”—gained attention even during the special broadcast covering the Tokyo gubernatorial election vote count.

This unwavering response, even when faced with questions about a romantic relationship, exudes an authentic “Ishimaru-ness” that never disappoints, and it has become a hot topic on social media.

Mr. Ishimaru continued,

“We have a professional relationship, and she is one of the people I trust,”

He did not deny the relationship itself. Behind this evasive phrasing, however, one can glimpse his special trust and feelings toward her.

While Mr. Ishimaru has frequently been the subject of speculation regarding his personal life, he is also facing a major political decision.

“There are rumors that Mr. Ishimaru will run in the Fukuoka mayoral election this November. If he wins this election—which is drawing significant national attention due to allegations of financial impropriety in the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly—his political profile will rise considerably,” said a political reporter for a national newspaper.

With his “typical Shinji” behavior and the unfolding of his love life, Mr. Ishimaru is also facing pressing political decisions. It seems we won’t be able to take our eyes off him for a while—.

[YouTube] On FRIDAY TV’s “Entertainment Reporter Channel,” active entertainment reporters discuss “With a Beauty Who Looks Like Uika!? The Truth Behind the Reports of Shinji Ishimaru’s ‘Overnight Stay’,” revealing the behind-the-scenes details of Ishimaru’s real-life love life—which isn’t part of his TV shows—and the “true identity” of the beauty who resembles Uika.They also provide a thorough analysis of his “typically Ishimaru” response to our magazine’s direct interview.