Actress Michiko Tanaka, known for her recent appearances on television, revealed intriguing insights about her apartment selection process on the February 26, 2025, broadcast of Nippon Television's "Ueda and Women Barking Night."
During the show, which focused on property preferences of women, Tanaka brought her unique background as a licensed architect to the conversation. This distinction raised curiosity among the audience and the show's host, Ueda Shinya, who remarked on the importance of her insights, noting, "You should definitely ask her, after all, she’s a licensed architect."
Tanaka's first point of emphasis was on the necessity of checking the garbage disposal area when examining prospective homes. "I absolutely check the garbage disposal area when I look at properties," she stated. Her experiences have left her particularly sensitive to communities with lax waste management practices, emphasizing moral standards among residents: "If I see someone not following moral standards, I definitely wouldn’t want to live there."
Her candid remarks reflected the weight she places on the social aspects of living arrangements—suggesting she values the harmony of the community as much as the structure of the building itself. This belief is deeply intertwined with her architectural training, where the design and functionality of spaces are prevalent but are also heavily influenced by community interactions.
Interestingly, Tanaka also shared her personal experiences related to the heights of residences. "I won't choose high floors," she declared, which surprised the audience. "High floors have lower air pressure, which can affect health," she elaborated, drawing on her personal life and previous relationships, particularly with her husband, former Japanese national soccer player Kenta Kawamura.
Tanaka reminisced about her visits to Kawamura's previous residence on the 31st floor, attributing their frequent arguments during those visits to the living situation. "At my husband’s old residence on the 31st floor, we argued often, but when I visited lower floors, we got along well," she reflected, emphasizing how such environmental conditions can impact personal dynamics. This compelling anecdote not only reinforced her bias against high-rise living but also illustrated her emotional connections to her surroundings.
Her decision is rooted not only in physical comfort but also the psychological wellbeing she associates with living at lower levels. "So now, I’m set on living no higher than the 6th floor," she concluded, defining her residence preference based on experiences rather than just professional criteria.
Overall, Tanaka's insights provide valuable information for prospective renters or buyers, shedding light on how personal experiences and professional knowledge influence choices about living spaces. Her emphasis on the moral fabric of communities alongside personal health aligns with broader themes of wellness and sustainability within urban living, reinforcing the idea of housing choices as intertwined with personal values and community standards.
Tanaka's articulate sharing of her experiences and insights reveals the often-overlooked emotional and ethical dimensions of choosing where to live. Her take on residential selection raises questions about the qualities we prioritize when seeking out not just homes, but harmonious communities, making her perspectives timely and significant in today's real estate climate.
Such discussions urge both real estate professionals and individuals to be conscious of communal harmony, pointing toward the future of property selection being as much about moral standards as it is about physical attributes. With her firm stance against high-rise living influenced by both personal experiences and professional qualifications, Tanaka stands as emblematic of the growing emphasis on the quality of life within urban settings.