[Full Article Published] “Panther” Satoshi Mukai ♡ TBS Anchor Yuko Wakabayashi: Exclusive Photos of Their “Top-Secret Living-Together Romance”!

They made their way to their ultra-luxury car while staying on guard.

These two TV stars had, before they knew it, taken their relationship from “co-stars” to “lovers”——.

Around 9:00 p.m. on a weekday in mid-September, Satoshi Mukai (40) of the comedy trio “Panter” emerged from a down-to-earth yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo.This restaurant has been featured several times on shows like “Best Con Gourmet” and “Sakurai & Ariyoshi THE Night Party” (both on the TBS network) as one of Mukai’s “regular haunts,”, and is a well-known establishment where Shinobu Hasegawa (48) of “Sissonne” and Akira Kawashima (47) of “Kirin” are also known to be regulars. Mukai was dressed in a super-casual style—a purple-and-blue plaid shirt, black pants, and a cap—carrying nothing but his wallet and cell phone.Was he perhaps enjoying a solo meal at his favorite spot after work?

“Mukai enrolled in the Yoshimoto General Entertainment Academy (commonly known as NSC) in 2005 and formed ‘Panther’ in 2008 alongside Ryotaro Suga (44) and Takahiro Ogata (49).He is now a popular figure with over 10 regular appearances, including on ‘Ousama no Brunch’ (TBS), ‘Hirunandesu!’ and ‘DayDay.’ (all on Nippon TV), as well as on regional TV and radio.“His ability to draw out the humor in guests through active listening, his conversational skills, and the sense of reliability he exudes as a host are second to none in the comedy world—so much so that he’s been dubbed the ‘Reiwa-era Radio Star.’ In a past variety show, he revealed that his monthly income was 800,000 yen higher than that of fellow member Suga, which became a hot topic—a testament to just how highly his talent is regarded,” said a television network insider.

After finishing his meal, Mukai climbed all the way up the stairs from the basement and started walking. …But for some reason, he suddenly turned around and began talking to someone at the bottom of the stairs.Just as it seemed he had finally started walking, a cute woman suddenly popped her head out from behind Mukai. Even through the cap pulled low over her eyes, her beautiful features were unmistakable—she was TBS announcer Yuko Wakabayashi (30). It appeared the two had been enjoying a meal together at this yakiniku restaurant.

“Wakabayashi, who joined TBS in 2019, currently hosts popular programs such as ‘Hiruobi’ and ‘Sunday Japon.’ When she was 14 and living in New York, she was inspired to become an announcer after seeing news coverage of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and she has since grown into one of the network’s flagship announcers,” said an entertainment agency executive.

Wakabayashi glanced around warily, her eyes darting from side to side, as she walked as if following the back of Mukai, who was a few meters ahead of her. While Mukai, having crossed the street, was paying the parking fee at the coin-operated parking lot right in front of them, she approached a car with practiced ease—

This car is the “first ultra-luxury car of her life” that Mukai had introduced on the YouTube channel “Mukai & Nagata’s Car Onsen Channel,” which she co-hosts with Shohei Nagata (46) of the comedy duo “Chocolate Planet.”However, it seemed the car wasn’t unlocked, so Wakabayashi stood in front of the passenger-side door, looking restless. When Mukai returned and unlocked the car, she quickly got in.Mukai then got into the driver’s seat. As they pulled out of the store, they both took off the black caps they’d been wearing, and their expressions were very relaxed—perhaps due to the sense of relief at being alone together in the car.

“I’ll explain the truth on the radio.”

About 15 minutes after the car pulled away, it entered a luxury high-rise apartment building in Tokyo, and the two never emerged. A source familiar with the situation explains:

“Actually, the two of them are dating right now. They’re currently co-hosting the ‘evening edition’ of the popular information program *Ousama no Brunch*, titled *Yoru no Brunch*, with Mukai as the MC and Wakabayashi as the co-host.Mukai also has numerous other regular shows and radio programs on the TBS network, so they often crossed paths at the station—and it seems they grew close without anyone noticing. I recently heard that the station has allowed them to move in together at a conveniently located apartment in Tokyo. They’re both at a good age, so I suspect they’re looking toward marriage.”

When Mukai took the stage at a preview screening for the movie *Is This Living?* held this past April, he revealed his desire to get married in a way that seemed to hint at a girlfriend.

“ I really want to get married. My ideal type is someone who always nods politely when I press the elevator button. Also, someone who, when we happen to unlock the automatic door at the same time, takes out her own key just in case after I’ve opened mine.”

As for Wakabayashi, in 2022, *FRIDAY* magazine broke the story that she was living in a semi-cohabitation arrangement with an “IT company elite” and sharing a key. At the time, she said with a smile, “Work comes first. What I look for in a partner is, above all, sincerity!” Four years have passed since then, and she has now embarked on a new romance.

We see these two on TV every day, but are they really dating and living together? When we sent a written inquiry to “Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd.,” the agency to which Mukai belongs, we received a positive comment regarding the relationship directly from Mukai himself through the company.

“Thank you for your continued support. Regarding this matter, I expect to discuss it on one of the following programs: CBC Radio’s ‘#Mukai’s Way of Talking,’ TBS Radio’s ‘#Furatto,’Nippon Broadcasting System’s ‘30 Minutes by Bike,’ or NHK Radio’s ‘Time to Sleep,’ so I’d appreciate it if you could tune in if you have the chance.”(Excerpt from original text)

Furthermore, the Public Relations Department of “TBS Television, Inc.,” where Wakabayashi works, responded with the statement: “We do not comment on the private lives of our employees.”

The day we receive the happy news of these two—who have remained true to their “sincere love”—tying the knot seems to be drawing near.

From the October 2 & 9, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*