Kunihiro Hasegawa, the 43-year-old former announcer for TBS, has made headlines with his exciting announcement on February 28, 2025, about launching his own company and two YouTube channels. The announcement, shared on his Instagram, sparked immediate interest as Hasegawa stated, "アメリカで起業しました！！" ("I have started a business in America!!"). This venture marks a new chapter for the media professional as he aims to connect cultures through digital storytelling.
Having built his career with TBS and PIVOT, Hasegawa's passion for communication and storytelling has reached new heights. Reflecting on his experiences, he said, "多くのフロントランナーと関わる中で、日本の技術力や文化、食、自然などの魅力が世界をリードするものだと確信し、もっと世界に発信しなければと強く思うようになりました" ("Through my interactions with many frontrunners, I have become convinced of the attractions of Japanese technology, culture, food, and nature leading the world, and I felt strongly it was necessary to communicate more with the world"). This strong conviction motivates his commitment to showcasing Japan’s excellence on the global stage.
His company seeks to become a conduit for cultural exchange through its mission: "日本の素晴らしさを世界に、世界の今を日本に伝えることで『映像の力で架け橋を作る』ことを目指しています" ("By conveying the beauty of Japan to the world and the current situations worldwide to Japan, I aim to create bridges with the power of video"). Hasegawa plans to operate two YouTube channels named 'UnKnown' and 'UnKnown Japan', based out of Los Angeles and Tokyo, with the vision of presenting untold stories of Japanese lifestyle and culture and the dynamic state of the world back to Japan.
The launch of these channels signifies Hasegawa's goal of providing engaging content about the essence of Japanese culture and fascinating narratives from around the globe, aiming to dissolve barriers and promote mutual appreciation. His strategy will employ modern tools of video and social media to relate these narratives to audiences worldwide.
Hasegawa's upcoming move to the United States is set for April 2025, where he will not only work on these new digital platforms but will also continue participating in Japanese television appearances. This dual engagement with both American and Japanese markets will allow him to merge experiences, insights, and audiences.
While Hasegawa prepares for this exciting transition, he remains deeply committed to his roots. His intention to keep participating with existing Japanese television programming ensures he retains his original audience, demonstrating his desire to serve both Japanese and global viewers. This balancing act is likely to create unique content, drawing from both cultures and their narratives.
Hasegawa’s venture exemplifies the growing trend of media professionals taking globalization to heart, actively seeking to bridge cultures through specialized content and modern mediums. Hasegawa's unique experiences and dedication to sharing Japan's rich stories are sure to impact both the Japanese cultural narrative and American audiences alike, providing them with varied perspectives.
With this exciting launch, Kunihiro Hasegawa aims not only to enrich the content available to international audiences about Japanese culture but also to bring invaluable global perspectives back to Japan. His efforts represent the power of cross-cultural dialogue and highlight the enthusiasm for connection as he ventures forth on this new chapter. The fusion of diverse cultural narratives through his media channels stands to create bridges and cultivate appreciation on both sides.
With ambition and heart, Hasegawa is embarking on this venture to illuminate the world about the beauty of Japan and deliver the urgency of global awareness back to his homeland. His story is just beginning but already resonates with the ethos of cultural exploration.