Scoop! Panther’s Satoru Mukai and TBS Announcer Yuko Wakabayashi Spotted on a Secret Date

A discreet dinner date

Two popular figures from the television world had quietly taken the relationship from co-stars to lovers before anyone realized it.

Around 9 p.m. on a weekday in mid-September, emerging from a casual yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo was Satoshi Mukai (40) of the comedy trio “Panther.”

The restaurant is a famous establishment that Mukai has introduced several times as one of his regular spots on “Besukong Gourmet” and “Sakurai Ariyoshi THE Night Meeting” (both on the TBS network). “Shisonne’s” Shinobu Hasegawa (48) and “Kirin’s” Akira Kawashima (47) are also known to be regular customers.

Mukai was dressed extremely casually in a purple-and-blue checkered shirt, black pants, and a cap, carrying nothing but his wallet and phone. Perhaps he had been enjoying a solo meal at his favorite restaurant after finishing work.

“Mukai joined the Yoshimoto General Entertainment Academy (commonly known as NSC) in 2005 and formed ‘Panther’ in 2008 with Ryotaro Kan (44) and Takahiro Ogata (49). He is now a popular figure with more than 10 regular television and radio appearances, including ‘Ousama no Brunch’ (TBS), ‘Hirunandesu!,’ and ‘DayDay.’ (both on Nippon TV), as well as programs on local television stations and radio.

His ability to draw out the best in his guests through attentive listening, his conversational skills, and his reliability as an MC are considered outstanding even in the comedy world, to the point that he has been called the ‘Reiwa-era radio star.’ In a past variety show, it was revealed that his monthly income was ¥800,000 higher than that of fellow member Kan, which became a topic of discussion. That gives you an idea of just how highly his talent is regarded.” (Television industry source)

After finishing his meal, Mukai climbed the stairs from the basement and started walking away. But then, for some reason, he suddenly turned around and began talking to someone at the bottom of the stairs. Just as it seemed he was finally about to walk away, a cute woman suddenly popped her head out from behind Mukai.

Even through the cap pulled low over her face, her beautiful features were unmistakable. She was TBS announcer Yuko Wakabayashi (30). Apparently, the two had been enjoying dinner together at the yakiniku restaurant.

“Wakabayashi joined TBS in 2019 and currently appears on popular programs such as ‘Hiruobi’ and ‘Sunday Japon.’ She decided to pursue a career as an announcer after watching news coverage related to the Great East Japan Earthquake when she was 14 and living in New York, and has since grown into one of the network’s leading announcers.” (Executive at an entertainment agency)

The two, both so busy that it seems impossible to go a day without seeing them on television, had apparently been quietly nurturing their relationship through a series of discreet dates.

The October 2–9 combined issue of “FRIDAY,” released on September 18, and the paid edition “FRIDAY GOLD” provide an in-depth report on how the two met, as well as Mukai’s own comments revealing the truth about their relationship.

For those who would like to see the full details and additional photos, click here ↓

From the October 2–9, 2026 combined issue of “FRIDAY.”