“There’s Someone I Care About Deeply”: Saeko and ONE OK ROCK’s Ryota Announce Their Relationship! The Countdown to “Marriage” Begins

〈If only we could gaze at the same view together〉

〈Some of you may already know this, but I am currently in a relationship〉

On October 10, Ryota (37), bassist for the globally popular rock band “ONE OK ROCK,” updated his Instagram. He made an unusual public announcement acknowledging his romantic relationship with TV personality Saeko (39).

The catalyst was a report in *FRIDAY* about the two on a “hand-in-hand date” (in the October 23–30 issue of *FRIDAY*).In early October, the two met up with several associates who had arrived ahead of them at the international departure lobby of Haneda Airport (Ota Ward, Tokyo). While going through check-in procedures, they remained in close contact the entire time. According to a traveler who witnessed the pair at the airport,

“It took the people with them about 30 minutes to complete the check-in process, but during that time, the two of them stood a short distance away, staying close to each other the whole time. Ryota had his arm around Saeko’s waist, and Saeko was fixing Ryota’s bangs; they kept gazing into each other’s eyes the entire time. They were so lovey-dovey that I thought they might kiss right then and there.A traveler who noticed Ryota looked incredibly surprised and kept turning back to look at them,”

he said, sounding quite surprised.

Speaking of Saeko, she married professional baseball player Yu Darvish (40) in 2007 and has two children with him.Even after her divorce in 2012, she publicly announced her relationship with businessman Yusaku Maezawa (50) in 2015. In 2021, *Weekly Josei* reported on her passionate romance with a younger artist, marking a life full of ups and downs.

As for Ryota, he married Michelle, the younger sister of Canadian singer Avril Lavigne (42), in 2017, but announced their divorce last September. A source close to the couple had this to say:

“Saeko and Ryota had known each other for some time, as they both attended Horikoshi High School in Tokyo. I heard that they gradually grew closer after a chance reunion earlier this year at a restaurant owned by a mutual acquaintance.

At the time, Saeko had just rescued a foal and its mother that had been abused at a ranch in Hokkaido. Ryota, who is also a photographer, actually particularly enjoys photographing horses. He reportedly told her, ‘I’m going to the ranch soon to take pictures of the horses!’ and actually visited, building a closer relationship with her over time.”

Saeko leads a hectic life juggling work, animal rescue efforts, and volunteering in disaster-stricken areas. It seems that the foal and her boyfriend were her emotional pillars during that time.

Later, we caught up with the two of them. When asked about marriage, Ryota said,

 “Hahaha. Well, yeah. Not quite yet,”

he dodged the question, but he was smiling the whole time. The following response was received from “Think FUTURE Co., Ltd.,” of which Saeko is the representative:

“They are not living together, but they are dating with marriage in mind.”

A few days later, Ryota responded on his social media as quoted at the beginning of this article, officially confirming their relationship. Then, on October 12, Saeko also updated her social media.

“Right now, there is someone I care deeply about,”

she wrote, concluding with:

“From now on, nothing I hold dear will change. As a mother, my top priority is my children’s happiness. I will continue to face the lives I am responsible for with sincerity. And I will take responsibility for my own life and live authentically. While cherishing all of these things, I hope that he and I can support each other, laugh together, and gaze upon the same scenery.”

Perhaps the “countdown” to marriage has already begun—.

[YouTube] On FRIDAY TV’s “Entertainment Reporter Channel,” active entertainment reporters present “Saeko ♡ ‘ONE OK ROCK’ Ryota: The Truth Behind Their ‘Ultra-Close-Up’ Date　— Is Marriage a Possibility!?” In this episode, active entertainment reporters provide a thorough analysis of the romance Saeko has quietly nurtured—from how the two met to their journey together to the present—and discuss the possibility of marriage.