Practice English with NewsPractice with News
Entertainment271 words2 min read

TV Announcer Ayaka Hironaka Talks About Feeling Rivalry With Close Partner

woman in black framed eyeglasses holding yellow fruit
Photo by Ugwu Samuel on Unsplash
0:00 / 0:00

Listen to the story

TV Asahi announcer Ayaka Hironaka has opened up about the dynamics of her close relationship with her partner, revealing that she often experiences a sense of rivalry between them.

In her comments, Hironaka suggested that the closer two people become, the more likely they are to see each other as rivals, since intimacy can heighten comparison and competitiveness.

Her remarks were shared alongside those of actress Mina Tanaka, who also appeared on the same broadcast.

Tanaka discussed what she hopes others will do when they witness her vulnerable side, noting that even clichéd reassurances can carry genuine comfort in emotional moments.

These reflections came as the long-running program "Azatokute Nani ga Warui no?" reached the end of its run.

The show had aired as a regular feature for six years before concluding with its final episode.

Both Tanaka and Hironaka returned as guests specifically for this closing broadcast, underlining their connection to the program over the years.

Singer Airi Suzuki, who had also been associated with the show, took part in the ending segment as well.

According to reports, Suzuki was visibly moved and cried during the program's final moments, reflecting the emotional weight of the show's conclusion.

The finale drew attention not only for the appearances of Tanaka and Hironaka but also for the personal insights they shared about relationships and vulnerability.

For many viewers, the program's ending represented the close of a chapter that had run for six consistent years on Japanese television.

While details beyond these remarks remain limited, the combination of candid personal reflection and an emotional send-off appeared to resonate with the show's audience.

Vocabulary7 words

announcer
a person whose job is speaking on TV or radio
rivalry
a feeling of competing with someone
rivals
people who compete against each other
vulnerable
easily hurt; showing weakness
clichéd
very common and used many times before
regular
happening on a fixed schedule, like weekly
final episode
the last show in a series

📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?

Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.

Preply — learn a language with a live tutor

Quiz

1. What does Hironaka suggest about closeness and rivalry?
2. What did Mina Tanaka discuss on the program?
3. True or False: Airi Suzuki cried during the show's final moments.

✅ Nice work on the quiz!

Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.

Discussion questions

  1. Why might people in close relationships feel more competitive with one another?
  2. Do you think clichéd words of comfort can still be meaningful? Why?
  3. What emotions do you think come with ending a long-running project after six years?
  4. How might public reflections like these affect how audiences view celebrities?

🎓 Enjoyed this story?

Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.

Preply — learn a language with a live tutor

More Entertainment stories