Japanese entertainment often brings humor and introspection to familial relationships and societal observations. Recently, actor Yoshizumi Ishihara opened up about his late father, Shintaro Ishihara, shedding light on what he described as his father's struggles with physical affection toward his children. During the December 21 broadcast of the TV Osaka show "Osaka Ossanpo Christmas 2-hour SP", Ishihara, 62, reminisced about his upbringing and parenting styles within his family structure.
Yoshizumi recounted conversations with fellow guests, comedian Kuroda and former Osaka Mayor Hashimoto, who discussed the trials of new fatherhood. Kuroda, who welcomed his first child just last month, humorously reflected on the stark change he felt when exposed to baby products for the first time. Ishihara laughed along, acknowledging the common struggle of being emotionally engaged as parents: "I totally wasn’t engaged at all," he admitted, addressing the challenges of parenting during his own children’s early years.
Things took an unexpected turn when he shared, "My dad had four kids but never held us." His declaration shocked both Kuroda and Hashimoto, leading to laughter and disbelief. Ishihara clarified, "He had never held his children because he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Not once!" Despite this shocking admission, he also spoke fondly of his father’s love for children, illustrating this dichotomy: "He had a one-sided love for children, but he couldn't grasp how to express it physically. He would even say things like he wasn’t interested in parenting until the end of his life."
On the same day, comedians Arakawa and Shinzan also took center stage on Fuji TV's "Ueda Shinya's Talk Test Ranking", weighing in on the behavior of older comedians. Arakawa, 28, revealed his thoughts on aging comedians he termed "old men," particularly noting Kuroda as fitting this description. The studio audience reacted with surprise when Shinzan openly called out Kuroda during the discussion, prompting laughter and playful tension.
Arakawa didn't stop there, as he humorously shared details from his karaoke nights with Shinzan, describing the struggle of enduring Kuroda's singing as "total hell" when alcohol fueled his vocal performances. He recounted how every time they went karaoke together, Kuroda would monopolize the microphone, refusing to share it with others. "It’s hell every single time; he just won’t let anyone else sing," Arakawa laughed, illustrating the sometimes uncomfortable truths of hanging out with older generation comedians.
Shinzan also weighed in with his own experiences, calling Kuroda out for his elaborate cooking sessions where he would insist on making udon from scratch late at night, ignoring everyone else's obvious hints they wanted to leave. He shared, "Kuroda would start making the udon without even acknowledging our body language!" Their stories reflect on the endearing yet frustrating quirks of their more seasoned counterparts, painting a comedic picture of aging with dignity and, sometimes, absurdity.
Both Ishihara's and the comedians’ reflections provide valuable insights not only about familial bonds but also about acceptance across generations. The shared storytelling made for compelling television — audiences laughed, but they also considered the deep-seated reverberations of childhood experiences and cultural expectations as influences shaping who we are. The bridging of personal storytelling with humor serves as both entertainment and reflection for viewers.
Each of these celebrities showcases how the intersection of humor and familial responsibility resonates deeply within Japanese culture, as they navigate the ever-important dynamics of parenting and aged wisdom amid laughter and self-reflection.
