On February 28, 2025, renowned Japanese author Hayashi Masaru made a notable appearance on the celebrated talk show 'The Minister's Mansion,' hosted by Kuroyanagi Tetsuko. During this episode, she shared her reflections on the important milestone of turning 70.
Hayashi, who was honored with a surprise birthday party to celebrate entering her seventh decade, admitted, "I was really shocked to find myself celebrating my 70th birthday. I never wanted to turn 70, but after being celebrated with a surprise party, I had to accept it." Her sentiments echoed many of those who find reaching such age both poignant and bittersweet.
Much of the conversation with Kuroyanagi focused on her personal life, particularly her marriage. Hayashi revealed she celebrated her 35th wedding anniversary with her husband this year. Reflecting humorously on her marriage, she remarked on the contrasts between her public perceptions as an author and the realities of her relationship: "I’ve been so busy with my position at Nihon University, only managing to write the occasional essay, but it was nice to finally write again for my recent novel." This candid approach often elicits curiosity from fans who question how the couple remains together, especially amid the author’s frequent comedic critiques of her husband.
Having taken on the presidency of Nihon University, Hayashi has markedly reduced her writing commitments, stating, "I used to handle seven columns but had to cut down to just two due to my busy schedule." She has thoughtfully reflected on this balancing act between her role as an author and university leader, recognizing, "The pressures from my position have made it difficult to pursue novel writing, leading to what I jokingly refer to as my 'writing conundrum.'" Despite this, she expressed excitement about having recently finished writing her new novel, showcasing her enduring passion for storytelling.
The episode also delved deeply not only about the trials of modern life and personal relationships but also about the gifts of aging. Hayashi shared, "Turning 70 has been liberatory. I’ve found I’m less concerned with the opinions of men and more focused on valuing kindness from others." This refreshing perspective has brought her comfort and confidence, allowing her to cultivate joyful relationships free from the preoccupations of youth.
Hayashi's appearance was compelling, mixing humor with poignant truth about growing older—a natural evolution supported by the wisdom gained through life experiences. "Now, I feel so comfortable around men, sharing casual moments without any tension. I’m just enjoying the interactions without tying them to romantic notions—it's actually pretty liberative," she quipped.
Overall, this candid discussion granted viewers insight not just about Hayashi’s achievements and challenges but also about her personal growth and transformation at 70. Wrapping up her thoughts, she hinted at future writing endeavors, assuring fans of her return to fiction soon, stating: "Even if it seems like I'm on creative pause, ideas are brewing, and I’m excited to bring they're realized!"
Hayashi Masaru’s reflections offer uplifting encouragement to viewers, inspiring many to view aging as not merely the end of some chapters but the beginning of others—a notion worth celebrating as vibrantly as any birthday.